The EPA recently announced a new Clean Power Plan (CPP) for the United States. The CPP aims at reducing carbon emissions and pollution caused by our country’s energy sources.
The end goal is a 30% reduction in emissions by 2030. The EPA says that coal and natural gas will continue to be the main energy sources.
But is this reduction feasible? According to Mark Jacobson, a civil engineer and founder of The Solutions Project, it is absolutely doable. The project demonstrates our ability to supply our nation’s energy needs using only wind, water, and solar energy.
In fact, his work shows that the change could be made today, using only currently existing technology and at a cost-savings benefit.
The Solutions Project assures Americans not only that this switch can be done, but also that it would save us money: tens of billions, in fact, from health savings alone.
Nine states, including our own Massachusetts, were recognized for their pre-CPP efforts in emissions reduction. Massachusetts has been a leader in clean energy, reducing its emissions by 16% since 1990.
So will Massachusetts be expected to make the same changes as other states?
Not quite. Massachusetts is being asked to reduce its emissions footprint by 38%, a change that this state, its officials, and its citizens are ready to make.
What This Means for the Economy
Companies like ours, as well as our partners at the Sustainable Business Network of Massachusetts, have shown that environmentally conscious business works out for everyone.
Sustainable resources have an obvious investment benefit: the less you have to spend in the long-run, and the less you have to worry about limited resources, the better off your investments will be.
As for the rest of us, renewable resources mean lower energy costs, giving us more money to spend on things like food and housing.
We’re especially excited about the health benefits of a cleaner nation. But that health benefit also leads yet again to a stronger economy: more healthy workers, with the money they saved from air-pollution related health costs, will reinvigorate our workforce and economy at a time when we need it most.
We look forward to these changes in our country. If you own a business that’s taking strides toward a healthier environment, or you want to learn how, join us at the next SBN Mass meeting.