Is the U.S. On Track To Cutting Carbon Emissions? New Report Says ‘Not Yet’
On February 6, the World Resources Institute released the results of their new report at the National Press Club in Washington DC. The report, entitled “Can the U.S. Get There From Here?” explores whether or not the United States is on the right track to cutting emissions down 17 % ,a commitment President Obama made at the 2009 Copenhagen conference to reduce U.S. greenhouse gas emissions by 2020. The report also explores the steps which the United States can take to ensure that the U.S. does reach that goal.
Source: World Resources Institute
Nicholas Bianco, the lead author of the report, stated that the results of “Can the U.S. Get There From Here” suggests that the United States is not on track to achieve the country’s goal of cutting emission by 17%; however a strongly focused effort to curb emissions by the White House and Congress may alter that consensus.
Susan Tierney, one of the speakers from the event and Managing Principle of the Analysis Group stated that this report should be used as a “roadmap to what we can do.” Looking to the future, the report lays out four recommendations. First, pollution caused by power plants needs to be reduced and regulated. This can be achieved by the EPA enforcing new performance standards for new and existing power plants under the federal Clean Air Act. The DOE can also apply new efficiency standards to consumer appliances and non-consumer equipment.
Second, Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which act as a potent greenhouse gas found in refrigeration and air conditioning, are taking the place of Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). HCFCs, an ozone depleting substance, are being phased out due to the Montreal Protocol. Although only 2% of the emissions problem, the WRI study shows that HFCs will provide some of the greatest reduction of carbon emissions by 2020. Reduction of HFCs can be accomplished through regulation and phasing out by the EPA under the Clean Air Act and through the Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP).
Third, switching from coal-fired power plants to natural gas plants is critically important to achieving the 17% emission goal. Natural gas is only 4% of the emissions problem but like HFCs, can play a huge part in reducing emissions. Like the regulation of power plants and the reduction of hydrofluorocarbons, reducing natural gas systems can be implemented by the EPA through the Clean Air Act. The report recommends that the EPA and states also take action in addressing methane leakage. This occurs when gases escape into the air at the time of drilling.
Lastly, the United States can move toward its goal of cutting emissions 17% by 2020 with energy efficiency measures. By enforcing energy efficient measures, states can cut down carbon emissions by using less fossil fuel.
The report also outlines the important role played by local and state governments. The findings show that even if the four measures above are adopted, the U.S. cannot reach its goal of cutting emissions by 17% without state cooperation. The report showed that even where federal action is lacking, if increased regulation happened at the state level, emissions can be cut by 15% by 2020. We can however meet the goal of cutting emissions by 17% if federal action takes a “Middle of the Road” or a moderate approach and states take a “Go Getter” or a very ambitious approach to reducing carbon emissions.
So far there are 29 states with renewable standards and 20 states with energy efficiency measures.
If state and federal government agencies take more action, the U.S. could meet its goal of cutting carbon emissions by 17% by 2020. Andrew Steer, the president and CEO of the WRI, stated that 90 countries are already creating plans to cut carbon emissions by 2020, and these nations are looking towards the U.S. for leadership. The new WRI report could very well be our roadmap to reaching that success.
If the United States fails to cut down emissions, than the impacts the U.S. has been feeling due to climate change will continue. The individual states are already feeling the effects of climate change, and are a paying for it now. If the states don’t take cutting emissions seriously, then they will be paying for it later as well.
To read ASP’s “Pay now, Pay later: A State-by-State Assessment of the Cost of Climate Change”, click here
To read full report, click here
