Head of Environment Protection Agency has announced “Clean Power Plan” to curb carbon dioxide. Under this new plan, power plants must reduce the 30% CO2 pollution in two decades. The agency has mandated the most important rule of carbon reduction in power sectors. Individual power plant’s specific reduction is not required by this carbon plan. This plan actually decides the per state requirements to reduce the amount of carbon pollution created. Air pollutant caused to the heart and lung disease. This new air pollution plan helps reduce the rates of such diseases and protect the public health.
The interim goal has been decided by each state of the country to reduce the carbon intensity during the 2020 to 2029. Carbon Intensity means how much carbon pollution created per megawatt hour. The final goal is for 2030 and on words. The Environment Protection Agency has taken the data from 2005 to estimate the 30% carbon dioxide reduction till 2030. But each state has authority to execute the plans as per their own needs and conditions.
New air pollution rules for carbon reduction
- The Environment Protection Agency has decided 4 key points for carbon reduction strategy.
- Use less dirty natural gas instead of burning coal.
- Use low emissions sources of energy.
- Supplier efficiency- Improve the power plant processes and equipment, in order to generate the same energy from less fuel.
- Demand efficiency- With increased energy efficiency, lower the electricity used by users.
These important points are already followed by many states to reduce the carbon emissions. States can come together to cut down the CO2 pollution under the rule. States such as New York, Maryland, Maine, Delaware, Connecticut, Vermont, New Hampshire and Rhode Island have already formed joint Regional Green House Gas initiative (RGGI) in 2005. This RGGI has successfully cut down 40% CO2 pollution and lower the electricity bills. States, which are not part of it initially, can look forward the new program established in 2012, in order to complete the state’s goal to cut down the greenhouse gas pollution by 2020. A further reduction of 80% should be done by 2050.
Supreme Court has upheld the Environment Protection Agency’s authority in 2007 under a clean act to regulate CO2 emissions from power plants. CO2 emission is the main cause for the global warming. In 2009, the EPA had made regulations on industrial facilities and new power plants.
Green house gas is dangerous to public health. Human made carbon pollution has made the climate unstable. Public health is in danger, as it links to the power plant CO2 emissions. Along with carbon pollution from power plants, other pollutants such as sulfur oxide, nitrogen oxide are dangerous for our health. If we take action against this now, then it will slow down the global warming and we can get long term health and economic benefits. The new air pollution rules cut down the carbon amount and protect our home and health as well.
