Modeling the CPP and Post-2030 Possibilities

Georgia Tech recently released a working paper entitled The Clean Power Plan and Beyond. With a particular eye toward impacts in the South, the study uses Georgia Tech’s version of the National Energy Modeling System to look at four compliance scenarios, including a case where the South adopts rate-based goals and the rest of the states adopt mass-based goals, and an extension of the CPP time horizon.  Among the results, the study finds that using more aggressive assumptions about energy efficiency and solar generation could keep electricity bills relatively low, as well as provide additional collateral benefits, such as greater GDP growth.  And with the knowledge that additional CO₂ emission reductions will be required through 2040, more coal would be retired and more renewable capacity would be added in the near term.