A Climate Gift or a Lump of Coal? The emission impacts of Canadian and U.S. greenhouse gas regulations in the electricity sector
On June 2, 2014, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released proposed regulations for regulating greenhouse gas emissions from electric utility generating units in the country.
In the wake of its announcement, the EPA has been emphasizing that its proposed electricity rules will reduce emissions from the country’s most significant source of emissions—power plants. Conversely, the messaging from the Government of Canada has been that Canada took similar action on coal-fired plants in 2012, and that the percentage drop in emissions from those plants is likely to be proportionately greater than those proposed by Washington.
However, both these perspectives leave unanswered the question of how these policies will affect total national emissions and contribute to mitigation pledges. It is this question that this policy brief attempts to answer.
Participating experts
You might also be interested in
The Critical Next Step: What you need to know about Canada’s 2030 climate target
Canada's climate target for 2030 is within reach, but more stringent policies and clearer government communication will be needed to get there. Our expert explains why these developments are critical for Canada to help avoid the worst impacts of climate change.