Pathway for U.S. to reach 17 percent emissions target

There is no doubt that air quality and regulation are gaining more strength. Companies and manufactures are frustrated with complying with the latest Environmental regulations. On the other hand, the United States may not reach its goals to reduce Greenhouse gas emissions by 17 percent by 2020, said the World Resources Institute. The new report “Can the USA, Get There from Here?”, claimed that there are tools to get to this goal without Congressional action.  President Obama has put tackling air pollution on his agenda. The recent analysis shows that USA has a high ambition for action in the administration that will make a significant effort to reduce air pollution. Meeting the 17 percent target would show that the USA is very serious about climate change and it makes the US a leader on the international stage.  The analysis has four key areas that the administration has the opportunity to work on, including: * Implementing strong standards for carbon dioxide pollution from existing power plants; * Reducing non-energy sources of emissions, including hydro fluorocarbons (HFCs), which are commonly found in refrigerators and air conditioners; * Limiting methane emissions from natural gas production; * Increasing energy efficiency from industry and home appliances. The government has multiple actions to move forward to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions and other particulate materials. Approximately, one- third of emissions come from power plants; therefore, enacting the new standard for existing power plants is the best way to control the emissions in the United States. In this way, the administration has the ability to put the USA on the track to meet its commitments, and can do so in a cost effective and efficient manner. According to the report this can be accomplished by unifying the regulations throughout the USA, all states need to take meaningful action that supplements the federal action. Recently, 29 States have renewable energy standards, 20 have energy efficiency standards and others are moving forward with ambitious climate policies. For instance, the California Public Utilities Commission allocated million of dollars and incentives to supply 33% of electricity from renewable energy by 2020. Recently California launched a cap-and-trade program that will cover 85% of the state’s emissions.  On the East Coast, “9 states have capped emissions from the power sector through the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI)”. Finally, joining the USA government in the Global community encourages US citizens and other countries to make greater emission reductions. Obviously, more time and more money is needed to make a shift in the country’s low carbon pathway.  Scientists and politicians must continue to develop meaningful actions to meet the US’s 17 percent goal by 2020. The World Resources Institute WRI, 2013, retrofit from;https://www.environmental-expert.com/news/new-report-presents-pathway-for-us-to-reach-17-percent-emissions-target-354106?utm_source=News_Air_07022013&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=newsletter&utm_content=feattextlink

Categorised in: EPA