STATEMENT: EPA Power Plant Standards Preserve Reliable, Affordable Electricity.

A new EPA policy will diversify electricity sources, leading to a cleaner energy future.

May 11, 2023, Washington, D.C. — On May 11, the Environmental Protection Agency released new standards for power plants that will help accelerate the urgent need to transition to clean energy.

In Response, RMI Electricity Expert Mark Dyson Released the Following Statement:

“We know that to meet climate goals, we will need to reduce emissions from fossil-fuel-fired power plants, and this new standard is a major step in the right direction.

“This standard will further support a transition already underway that is being driven by the compelling economics of clean energy, ushering in a reliable, affordable renewable electricity system for all.

“There are many options for cost-effectively supporting a reliable electric grid without relying on uncontrolled fossil fuel power plants, which can fail when they are needed most during extreme weather and cause outsized health burdens on disadvantaged communities. Grid operators already have significant experience in lowering costs and supporting reliability with carbon-free resources.”

Additional Context:

• Since 2018, RMI analysis has shown that portfolios of carbon-free resources can be more affordable and just as reliable as gas-fired power plants, and the experience of leading utilities provides real-world evidence supporting this analysis.
• The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), the climate bill passed in 2022, provides new incentives for renewable energy, storage, and other carbon-free energy resources, further increasing the cost benefits of transitioning to clean energy. RMI showed that the IRA makes clean energy portfolios cheaper than 90 percent or more of new proposed gas plants.

Contact:

Adam Beitman, RMI

abeitman@rmi.org