U.S. States Can Make Significant Impact on U.S. Emissions Despite Federal Headwinds

NEW YORK — New analysis from Environmental Defense Fund, released during New York Climate Week, shows that, if climate leadership states achieved their goals, they could close the emissions gap to the U.S. Paris Agreement target by a third. The analysis also showcases proven pollution-cutting policies that states can use to reach their goals.

“While D.C. drives up electricity prices by propping up costly, dirty coal plants and blocking clean energy, leadership states must hold the line on commonsense solutions,” said Pam Kiely, Associate Vice President for U.S. Region at Environmental Defense Fund. “These states have the power and the opportunity to put forward their own policies that cut costs, protect families’ health and curb climate pollution. Our analysis shows that leading states must rapidly pick up the pace on implementing policies that limit climate pollution — and leading economists are showing that those same policies can be powerful affordability tools as well.” 

The political headwinds are strong, with the federal government blocking clean energy at every turn — taking affordable options off the table at a time when Americans are facing rising electricity bills.

Fortunately, states are already stepping up to demonstrate how climate ambition and affordability go hand-in-hand.

• California recently passed sweeping climate legislation that included extending their pollution-cutting cap-and-invest program and opening up the door to building an interconnected regional electricity market across the West. The state’s cap-and-invest program is projected to create 287,000 jobs and $55 billion in economic growth over the next two decades.
• Last November, Washington state successfully defended its cap-and-invest program from a dangerous ballot measure, winning by a 2:1 margin as voters spoke up strongly to preserve cost-saving and pollution-cutting investments. The state is now pursuing linking its program with California’s. 

Now it is time for more states to step up to the plate by placing firm, binding limits on their emissions to cut pollution and cut costs for their communities.