This document provides a regulatory impact analysis for proposed emission guidelines for greenhouse gases from existing power plants and emission standards for modified and reconstructed power plants. It finds that the proposed guidelines would reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the power sector while also providing substantial health benefits from reduced emissions of particulate matter and ozone. Specifically:
- The proposed guidelines would establish state-specific rate-based goals for reducing carbon dioxide emissions from existing power plants and encourage strategies like improving plant efficiency, substituting natural gas for coal, and expanding renewable energy.
- By 2030, the guidelines are projected to reduce power sector carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 30% from 2005 levels while imposing annual compliance costs of $5.5 billion to $8.4