How Much Carbon Will Your State Cut under the EPA's New Rule?

A state-by-state breakdown of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed carbon reduction rule reveals that some states will have to go far beyond the 30 percent goals for the country overall.

1 minute read

June 5, 2014, 1:00 PM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


"When the EPA announced it will require states to reduce emissions of carbon dioxide to 30 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, it wasn’t applying that exact target to everyone," explain Chris Kardish and Kevin Tidmarsh.

In fact, some states will have to cut more or less than 30 percent, "because the agency set up a formula that looks at states' most recent emissions along with other factors such as their ability to shift to natural gas or expected closings of coal plants when setting a 2030 goal."

"That method led to great variation among states, from a 14-percent target in Rhode Island to about 72 percent in Washington state."

The article includes a map that shows the required cut for each state.

Wednesday, June 4, 2014 in Governing

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

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