New NRDC Analysis Shows U.S. Can Slash Carbon Emissions Far More Than Projected Initially Under Plan Shaping Debate on Power Plant Carbon Pollution Standards

WASHINGTON, March 18, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Newer data and expanded analysis to be released Thursday (March 20th) during a National Press Club news event will show that far more carbon pollution can be eliminated than originally projected under the innovative approach for federal action outlined in December 2012 by the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC).  The thrust of the NRDC plan urging the full use of existing legal authority for the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce power plant carbon pollution has been reflected in recent steps taken by the federal agency.

The new NRDC modeling updates the potential impact of the 2012 plan and increases the number of scenarios for carbon pollution reduction from the one outlined in 2012 to five, including approaches that factor in increased energy efficiency from states, higher use of renewable energy, and other technologies (e.g., carbon capture and storage). The new scenarios use more up-to-date data about U.S. energy consumption and electricity generation from both industry and government sources.

The new analysis will show that it is possible for policymakers to deliver even bigger carbon pollution cuts at low cost while creating clean energy jobs, improving the health of Americans and benefitting the environment.

Note: Seating is limited

WHO:

• Peter Lehner, executive director, Natural Resources Defense Council
• Dan Lashof, director, Climate and Clean Air program, Natural Resources Defense Council
• Richard Caperton, director, National Policy and Partnerships, Opower (Arlington, VA)
• Rob Gramlich, senior vice president, Public Policy, American Wind Energy Association
• Dallas Burtraw, Darius Gaskins senior fellow, Resources for the Future

WHEN:

Thursday, March 20, 2014.

TIME:

Noon EDT.

DETAILS:

National Press Club, 529 14th St., NW, Zenger Room.  Light lunch provided. Reporters are encouraged to RSVP by no later than 3 p.m. EDT on March 19, 2014.

CAN'T PARTICIPATE?: 

A streaming audio replay of the news event will be available on the Web at http://www.nrdc.org as of 6 p.m. EDT on March 20, 2014.

The Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) is an international nonprofit environmental organization with more than 1.3 million members and online activists. Since 1970, our lawyers, scientists, and other environmental specialists have worked to protect the world's natural resources, public health, and the environment. NRDC has offices in New York City, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Livingston, Montana, and Beijing. Visit us at http://www.nrdc.org and follow us on Twitter @NRDC.

SOURCE Natural Resources Defense Council, Washington, D.C.