As the merits of the EPA’s Clean Power Plan are argued at an appeals court today (Tuesday), recent data is adding more backbone to arguments in favor of the rules to reduce carbon emissions. Separate reports from Georgia Tech and the Alliance for Industrial Efficiency show how implementation of the Clean Power Plan can boost competitiveness for manufacturers in Indiana and other states. Douglas Jester with clean energy consultant 5 Lakes Energy says it’s clear that energy-efficiency strategies reduce energy bills.
Indiana is on the list of top ten states that would see major reductions in C-O-2 emissions under the Clean Power Plan. Manufacturing customers in Indiana would save eight billion dollars by 2030. The environment would see a huge benefit because carbon emissions in the state would be cut by 9-point-2 million tons per year, and 12-point-9 million megawatts of electricity would be saved.
The executive director of the Alliance for Industrial Efficiency, Jennifer Kefer, says savings from industrial energy efficiency can be invested in plant modernization, product improvements or job creation. She contends the reports dispel the myth that clean energy and manufacturing competitiveness have to be in conflict.
According to the Alliance report, industrial energy efficiency can save businesses nearly 300 billion dollars from avoided electricity purchases. The Georgia Tech analysis also found energy savings for industry under Clean Power Plan compliance – nearly 40 billion dollars annually.