Question

Clean Power Plan

We all know the rules, regulations and laws change during presidency. During Obama administration there were strict regulations on greenhouse gases and emissions to be regulated by the EPA. Now, Trump has rolled back many of these regulations.(Gardner 2019). The Clean Power Plan, set up by the Obama administration in 2015, was to set national limits for greenhouse emissions. There was repeal and few lawsuits against the Clean Power Plan so it was replaced in 2019 by the Affordable Clean Energy Rule. Currently, there are lawsuits and appeals going through the courts. There are 20 states that are suing the Trump administration over the Affordable Clean Power Plan (Climate Change: Policy and Mitigation Fact sheet. 2019). This executive order follows the Clean Air Act and gives the states the right to regulate emissions. The Affordable Clean Energy gives guidelines for states to use when developing plans to limit emissions. Some goals by 2030 of the Affordable Clean Energy Act is

• Reduce CO2 emissions by 11 million short tons
• Reduce SO2 emissions by 5,700 tons
• Reduce NOx emissions by 7,100 tons
• Reduce PM2.5 emissions by 400 tons
• Reduce mercury emissions by 59 pounds

(EPA Finalizes Affordable Clean Energy Rule, Ensuring Reliable, Diversified Energy Resources while Protecting our Environment 2019)

Response to the topic disscued above by providing your opionion or any recomebdations in clean power plan?

Answer 1

Before we pour into the recommendations and suggestions to manage the clean power plan, it is obvious to know the real value of the plan and its execution agenda. The clean power plan has the sole motive to ensure the reduction in carbon dioxide pollution which is released from the factories and various production plans. To ensure the right implementation and achieve the expected results, few suggestions and recommendations are as follows:

• The measurement and impact-analysis are crucial and ensuring an upper limit on how much emission of carbon is permittable
• Setting up better processes and use of technological advancements can lead to quality improvement and reduced air pollution
• Strict government rules are already in place and what is required is close monitoring and stricter actions for the offenders
• The positive progress could be taken up to reward those who comply with the norms of the clean power plan
• There is need to keep the political angle out of the place and both the ruling and opposition should take the initiative in collaboration. This will bring the sustainable development.
• The use of fossils should be reduced, and more dependence need to be created on the renewable sources of energy.