Informing Federal Standards to Reduce Carbon Pollution
Georgetown Climate Center conducts legal and policy analysis, facilitates dialogues between federal and state agency leaders, and convenes states and stakeholders to inform the development of federal standards to reduce carbon pollution from the power sector. In December 2022, GCC submitted comments to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on behalf of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Power Sector Policy Forum that expressed support for “strong standards of performance for existing coal-, oil- and natural gas-fired power plants” in order to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector.
Convening States and Stakeholders
Georgetown Climate Center convenes states and other stakeholders to discuss opportunities for state leadership on climate and clean energy. The facilitation of regional and multi-state forums, including through the Conveners Network and the States Deployment Initiative, informs the development and implementation of federal policies and programs and serves as a resource for states. GCC’s Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Power Sector Policy Forum brings together state energy, environment, and utility regulatory agency officials in 11 states to support the transition to cleaner energy in the region.
Georgetown Climate Center also facilitates engagement by subnational leaders, including governors and state agency leaders, in international climate policy development.
Adaptation Clearinghouse: Energy Sector
An online database and networking site that serves policymakers and others who are working to help communities adapt to climate change. This page includes resources to help policymakers understand, plan, and prepare for impacts of climate change to the energy sector, ranging from changes in energy demand to preparing for threats to energy infrastructure.
Reducing Emissions from the Health Care Sector
With support from the Commonwealth Fund, the Georgetown Climate Center is reviewing federal and state energy policies that could help health care delivery organizations meet ambitious greenhouse gas reduction targets. This includes policies to reduce fossil-fuel use at health care facilities and shift to clean electricity, reduce transportation emissions from health care–related vehicles and fleets, increase resilience from extreme weather events and provide cleaner air for communities near health care delivery facilities, and drive reductions in supply chain emissions.
Detailed Summary of the EPA's Proposed Rule to Limit Carbon Pollution from the Power Sector
June 13, 2014
This document provides a summary of EPA’s recently proposed rule to reduce carbon pollution from existing power plants. It contains a particular focus on elements of the proposal that may be of interest to the states.
Percent Changes Needed to Acheive EPA's State-by-State Carbon Pollution Goals
June 3, 2014
The Georgetown Climate Center has compiled data from EPA's supporting documents to help states, reporters, and stakeholders better understand what the new carbon pollution limits in the power sector mean for each state.
This document provides a brief primer on how the electric power system functions and the role played by different entities in its operation and oversight. It also identifies key issues related to the structure of the electricity system that will be relevant for states to consider as they develop plans to comply with the new EPA standard.
Multi-State Collaboration & Coordination: Proceedings from State & Power Company Dialogue (April 22, 2014)
May 23, 2014
The Georgetown Climate Center hosted a dialogue on April 22 among senior state, power company, and federal leaders focused on the potential for multi-state collaboration in meeting forthcoming EPA standards that will reduce carbon pollution from existing power plants. This proceedings document - released to the public on May 23 - summarizes key themes that arose in conversation during the April 22nd dialogue. The contents do not necessarily represent the views of any individual participant.
States Provide EPA with a Roadmap for Cutting Carbon Pollution
December 16, 2013
In a letter to the EPA, state environment and energy leaders from 15 states—including midwest and mountain states like Minnesota, Illinois and Colorado—urged the federal agency to allow states to use their broad clean energy and climate approaches to meet upcoming carbon pollution reduction requirements. They also encouraged the federal agency to develop equitable and measurable standards that will hold states accountable for their progress.
Reducing Carbon Emissions in the Power Sector
December 5, 2013
The Georgetown Climate Center has released a report highlighting successful efforts by states and power companies to reduce carbon pollution from the power sector across the country.
Georgetown Climate Center Submits Questions to Support EPA Engagement with States on Carbon Pollution Standards
September 20, 2013
On August 23, the Georgetown Climate Center submitted a list of questions to EPA urging the agency to seek input on a range of issues as it begins engagement with states and other stakeholders on carbon pollution standards for existing power plants. These questions were developed through discussions with state officials responsible for administering clean energy and greenhouse gas emission reduction programs.
Fact Sheet: Opportunities for States Under EPA Carbon Pollution Standards
September 19, 2013
The Georgetown Climate Center has developed a document highlighting the opportunities for states under forthcoming EPA carbon pollution standards for existing power plants. Clean Air Act Section 111(d) provides states a significant role in regulating carbon pollution from existing sources, and President Barack Obama has called on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to build on the leadership that many states, cities, and companies have already shown in reducing carbon pollution from the power sector.
Days before President Obama announced his climate action plan, the Georgetown Climate Center released polling data that shows strong public support for taking action to cut carbon pollution.
Summary of the Federal District Court’s Order Enjoining California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard
January 19, 2012
On December 29, 2012, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of California granted partial summary judgment to the plaintiffs in Rocky Mountain Farmers Union v. Goldstene, holding that California’s Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) violated the dormant Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution. The court also granted the plaintiffs a preliminary injunction, prohibiting enforcement of the LCFS until the litigation is completed.
GCC submits comments developed with input from climate leadership states on US EPA power plant emissions standards
August 8, 2023
Letter reflects state support for standards that reduce climate pollution & identifies improvements to proposed rule Georgetown Climate Center (GCC) today submitted a comment letter to the U.S. Environmental...
Report | Energy Policies are Key to Helping Health Care Delivery Organizations Meet Ambitious Emissions Commitments
April 12, 2023
Health care delivery organizations – hospitals, clinics, and other institutions that provide health care services to patients – occupy a unique position in the climate fight: they care for people whose health is...
GCC welcomes National Climate Advisor to Georgetown Law Campus
February 17, 2023
On Friday, February 17, Georgetown Climate Center was honored to welcome White House National Climate Advisor Ali Zaidi to the Georgetown Law Campus to present a progress report on climate action in the first two years...
GCC comments to US EPA: Inflation Reduction Act offers opportunity to expand and improve air quality monitoring for overburdened communities
January 26, 2023
A technician monitoring EPA air quality sampling equipment in Louisiana. Credit: U.S. EPA Community and environmental justice advocates have long called for more air quality monitoring in their...
Webinar Recording: “Advancing New Jersey's Climate Goals with Transportation Infrastructure Investments”
January 26, 2023
On January 20, GCC’s Director of Mitigation Programs James Bradbury was the featured speaker for a virtual Climate Academy presented by the NJ Climate Change Research Center at Rutgers University. Over the next 5...
Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Power Sector Policy Forum informs GCC comments on upcoming EPA power plant emissions rules
December 14, 2022
Letter to U.S. EPA articulates support for strong standards of performance for fossil-fueled power plants
America's Zero Carbon Action Plan unveils a roadmap to eliminating GHG emissions in the U.S. by 2050
November 3, 2020
What would it take for the United States to reach zero carbon emissions by 2050? America's Zero Carbon Action Plan (ZCAP), released last week, sets out to answer that question. Building on the U.N.'s Sustainable...
Issue Brief | Final ACE Rule Raises State Concerns
July 2, 2019
On June 19, 2019, the Trump Administration released a final regulation—dubbed the Affordable Clean Energy Rule (ACE)—that repeals and replaces the Obama Administration's Clean Power Plan. This issue brief, prepared...
States respond to release of final ACE rule, rollback of Clean Power Plan
June 19, 2019
On June 19, 2019, the Environmental Protection Agency under the Trump Administration announced a final regulation to be instituted in place of the Clean Power Plan, known as the Affordable Clean Energy Rule. Below are...
GCC Exec. Director Vicki Arroyo testifies before House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
March 5, 2019
View GCC Executive Director Vicki Arroyo's full testimony to the full House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for a hearing entitled "Examining How Federal Infrastructure Policy Could Help Mitigate and Adapt to Climate Change."