The Georgetown Climate Center works closely with states and other stakeholders to inform the development of federal carbon pollution standards for power plants and to serve as a resource for states exploring compliance approaches under these standards. This work includes facilitating conversations and meetings among states; convening a series of dialogues among state, federal, and power company leaders; and developing legal and policy resources for states and other stakeholders.

Below are examples of the Georgetown Climate Center's work in this area related to the development of the Clean Power Plan from 2013-2015.

Supporting State Discussion and Input on the Clean Power Plan

The Clean Air Act’s Section 111(d) provides a significant role to states in establishing carbon pollution standards for existing power plants, and many states have already implemented policies that have achieved significant carbon pollution reductions in their electricity sector. As part of its work with states, the Georgetown Climate Center has facilitated the development of input to EPA from state leaders that support federal regulations that will achieve meaningful reductions in carbon pollution and provide flexibility to states.  

• U.S. Senate Briefing: State Views on Implementing the Clean Power Plan (March 2015) – State leaders from Minnesota, Colorado, New York, and Washington discussed different strategies states can employ to reduce carbon pollution in the power sector under the flexible framework proposed in the EPA's Clean Power Plan.
• States Voice Strong Support for EPA’s Proposed Clean Power Plan in Joint Letter to Agency (December 2014) – In a letter to U.S. EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy, environment and energy leaders from 14 states expressed strong support for the agency’s proposed Clean Power Plan.
• States' Road Map for Reducing Carbon Pollution (December 2013) – This group of state energy and environment leaders from 15 states provided the EPA with a road map for reducing carbon pollution, based on their states' experiences in reducing carbon pollution from the power sector. 
• Questions for EPA’s Stakeholder Outreach (August 2013) – The Georgetown Climate Center submitted a list of questions to EPA urging the agency to seek input on a range of issues as it began 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.   

Exploring State and Power Company Successes and Opportunities

Since June 2013, the Georgetown Climate Center has been hosting and facilitating discussions between state leaders, power company executives, and the federal government about the EPA's proposed Clean Power Plan to reduce carbon pollution from the power sector. These sessions have focused on the success states and power companies have already had in reducing carbon pollution, providing feedback to the EPA as it developed its new standard, and discussing how states would be able to join together to develop multi-state implementation strategies under the new rule.

See an agenda, photos, and participants list for each discussion:

• State, Power Company, and EPA Officials Discuss Implementation of Clean Power Plan (Oct. 14, 2015)
• States, Power Companies, and NGOs Explore Compliance Options Under EPA's Clean Power Plan (March 10, 2015)
• States, Power Companies, and NGOs Discuss Implementation Options Under EPA's Clean Power Plan (Dec. 3, 2014)
  • Related White Paper Provides an Overview of Potential Clean Power Plan Compliance Pathways
    Compares key characteristics of potential compliance approaches states could use, including rate-based and mass-based trading programs, state-driven or utility-driven portfolio approaches, a state commitment approach, and a carbon fee.
• State, Power Company, and Federal Officials Discuss Opportunities for Multi-State Collaboration Under EPA's Forthcoming Carbon Pollution Reduction Standards (April 22, 2014)
  • Proceedings Document 
    Summarizes key themes identified by the discussion, including developing programs that allow averaging or trading across sources and different state program, and developing multi-state compliance programs with shared targets and compliance mechanisms. 
• States and Power Companies Share Thoughts on Carbon Pollution Reduction Options with Federal Officials (Oct. 29, 2013)
• State Officials and Power Companies Share Efforts to Reduce Carbon Pollution with Administration Officials (June 27, 2013)
  • Proceedings Document and Report on State and Power Company Successes
    Highlights efforts that state governments and power companies have taken to reduce carbon pollution from the power sector across the country. 

 Other Events Advancing the Clean Power Conversation

• Utilities, States, and Stakeholders Discuss the Future of the U.S. Electric Power System (September 2014) – The Georgetown Climate Center partnered with Lazard to hold an event, entitled "Impact of Power Industry Regulation and Technology on Private Sector Investment," featuring industry experts, regulators, and government officials who shared their views on how environmental regulation, technology, and other factors could impact the country’s generation resource mix, utility resource planning decisions, and private sector investment.