As well as putting a damper on climate change, cutting down on carbon pollution from power plants can create over 210,000 new jobs and reduce electric bills slightly by an average of $0.90 a month, according to a new analysis released by the Natural Resources Defense Council along with business and labor groups.
The analysis was based on N.R.D.C.’s proposed plan of tailoring pollution limits to fit the specific energy mix of each individual state, allowing utilities to be flexible enough to find out the most cost-effective way of hitting the target and saving families on their electric bills through increased energy efficiency incentives.
“For the sake of our children’s future, we have an obligation to fight back against climate change, which is already damaging and disrupting our communities,” said N.R.D.C.’s Climate and Clean Air Program Director Dan Lashof.
“The nation must curb the largest source of climate-changing pollution pouring into our skies, without any limits, from coal-fired power plants. And the good news is we can while creating more than 200,000 new jobs, trimming electricity bills and helping our economy,” Mr. Lashof added.
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Among the 14 states that were examined by N.R.D.C., Florida has the highest potential for creating new jobs while cutting emissions, creating 14,000 jobs and lowering monthly utility bill by $0.32; followed by Ohio with 12,000 jobs, and saving $1.03 on their utility bills; and Michigan with 9,300 jobs, saving $0.84 on their utility bills.
Other states that were found to have benefits if carbon emissions were cut are Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Maine, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Virginia.
N.R.D.C. pointed out that if their proposed plan does become enacted, carbon pollution from power plants can be reduced by 26 percent by 2020 at a cost to industry estimated at $4 billion in 2020. In addition, it would deliver up to $15 in health and climate benefits for every $1 invested. – EcoSeed Staff
