The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan proposed rule to regulate carbon dioxide under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act potentially impacts states’ renewable energy programs and policies, including renewable portfolio standards (RPS). Aiming to cut domestic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 30 percent from 2005 levels, the proposed rule creates opportunities for renewable energy development and for cooperation among states. Conversely, there are also risks that its implementation could create complications for RPSs, as well as for other programs that rely on renewable energy certificates (REC).
The Clean Energy States Alliance’s State-Federal RPS Collaborative hosted a webinar on June 26, 2014, exploring the relationship between EPA’s proposed rule and renewable energy:
- RAP senior associate David Farnsworth will summarize the rule, highlight the opportunities it creates for state renewable energy policymakers, and explain concerns about preserving the inviolability of RECs.
- Matt Clouse, director for Renewable Energy Policy and Programs of the EPA Climate Protection Partnerships Division, and Christopher Sherry, a policy analyst in the Climate Change Division of the EPA Office of Atmospheric Programs, will present EPA’s perspective and explore ways in which the proposed rule could benefit renewable energy development.
