Page 6 - North American Clean Energy September October 2015

editor's note

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I HAVE ALWAYS FOUND IT INTERESTING how the same piece of information can be interpreted in
numerous ways depending on whose side of the story you read.

For example, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently announced their Clean Power Plan

Final Rule which is expected to accelerate the country’s transition to a clean energy future.

he Clean Power Plan Rule Summary states the Clean Power Plan is:

. a historic and important step in reducing carbon pollution from power plants that takes real action on climate

change. Shaped by years of unprecedented outreach and public engagement, the inal Clean Power Plan is fair,

lexible and designed to strengthen the fast-growing trend toward cleaner and lower-polluting American energy.

With strong but achievable standards for power plants, and customized goals for states to cut the carbon pollution

that is driving climate change, the Clean Power Plan provides national consistency, accountability and a level

playing ield while relecting each state’s energy mix. It also shows the world that the United States is committed to
leading global eforts to address climate change.*

he Solar Energy Industries Association’s (SEIA) president, Rhone Resch, said, “Solar energy is the most

sensible compliance option for states under the Clean Power Plan.”

We’ve heard Karl Gawell, executive director at the Geothermal Energy Association (GEA) say,
“Geothermal power can be the glue that will help hold the clean power grid together.”

Industry leaders associated with the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA) were encouraged by a

recent economic analysis from the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reporting that wind energy

can supply the majority of lowest-cost Clean Power Plan compliance mix.

Marty Durbin, president and CEO of America’s Natural Gas Alliance (ANGA) said of the Clean Power
Plan, “Natural gas is the most cost-efective compliance option that states have in almost all cases.”

he Clean Power Plan was praised by the Biomass Power Associate (BPA) for encouraging a strategy of

converting clean organic materials - such as forestry residues, agricultural byproducts and urban wood

waste - to energy into order to meet the nation’s greenhouse gas reduction goals.

Regardless of how the story has been spun to it the interests of any speciic industry, the message is
clear; US carbon emissions from the power sector will be decreased by the year 2030, an international

dialogue on climate change has been sparked that may lead to a global solution, and our kids and grandkids

will have a chance at a cleaner, safer, and healthier future.

Earlier this week, while thinking of the hope and promise of that, I received a message in my inbox,

asking me to step away from my desk, take a look outside and appreciate the natural beauty all around me.

Now, I will encourage you to do the same.
Jill Walters

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SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2015 nacleanenergy.com