The Clean Power Plan (CPP) proposed and finalized during the Obama administration would increase electricity costs by $40.5 billion while reducing the GDP by an average of $59 billion each year, cutting more than 375,000 jobs by 2030, ABC told the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Jan. 16. ABC submitted comments in support of the agency’s proposed rule to repeal the 2015 rule. 

Formally known as the Carbon Pollution Emission Guidelines for Existing Stationary Sources: Electric Utility Generating Units final rule, the CPP established guidelines for states to follow to limit carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from existing power plants. As a result, the rule would increase compliance and transaction costs and create uncertainty for America’s small businesses.

In its comments, ABC expressed its support for the proposed rule to repeal the CPP. ABC favors proposals that take reasonable approaches to addressing carbon emissions while focusing both on supporting businesses and jobs and providing necessary environmental protection to communities.  

On March 28, 2017, President Trump signed Executive Order 13783 on “Promoting Energy Independence and Economic Growth,” which directed the EPA Administrator to review the CPP. Following the review, the EPA published the proposal for repeal on Oct. 16 and issued an Energy Independence Report to implement the president’s executive order on Oct. 25.