Following are comments from Jason Bordoff, founding director of Columbia University’s Center on Global Energy Policy and former energy advisor to the White House for the Obama administration, on the EPA’s proposed guidelines to cut carbon pollution from existing power plants:
“Today’s announcement that President Obama will use his existing authority to reduce harmful carbon pollution from power plants represents the most important action the U.S. has taken to date to address the devastating impacts of climate change. Implementing these standards will enable the U.S. to meet our carbon reduction goals, demonstrate international leadership in addressing climate change, and spur the growth of cleaner forms of energy and jobs in certain sectors. The proposal is not a one-size-fits-all approach, leaving states significant flexibility to meet the standards in a way that works best for each state, and has very large benefits from reducing pollution that vastly exceed its costs. The proposed rule shows President Obama’s deep commitment to making lasting change for future generations.”