On May 29, 2014, the White House released a report, titled “The All-Of-the-Above Energy Strategy as a Path to Sustainable Growth,” wherein the report details the President’s energy approach and the ways in which the U.S. energy sector has changed during the President’s tenure. The report was released just days before the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) is due to announce its new guidelines for limiting carbon dioxide for existing power plants under the Clean Air Act.
The report analyzes the economic impact of the shift from being an economy that is a net importer of energy to one that is a net exporter. The report explains that increases in domestic generation, increases in renewable resources, and reduced oil consumption “have had substantial economic and energy security benefits, and they are helping to reduce carbon emissions in the energy sector and thereby tackle the challenge posed by climate change.” The report gives a historical analysis of the nation’s energy use through the years and outlines the current state of the nation’s energy industry. Acknowledging that some of the movement in the U.S. energy sphere has been the result of others (including technological advances, risk-taking entrepreneurs and businesses, or trends that pre-date the administration) the report points at the successes of the Obama administration’s energy plan thus far. Going forward, President Obama’s energy strategy will continue to focus on three key elements: economic growth, energy security, and a low-carbon future.
The EPA is due to announce its guidelines for limiting carbon dioxide for existing power plants under the Clean Air Act on June 2, 2014. President Obama ordered the EPA to develop the standards as part of his June 2013 climate action plan (see June 28, 2013 edition of the WER). It is anticipated that the rules will compel cuts to carbon emissions nationwide, but that states may be allowed to craft their own plans for how to meet these standards by, for example, increasing energy efficiency, creating demand response programs, requiring retrofitting existing plants, or fostering the production of low carbon energy resources.
To view the report, click here.