ICF International conducted the study using NRDC’s assumptions and found that the investments would lower household electric bills for the average American by $103 a year.
If the US Environmental Protection Agency adopts a similar approach, the country may cut carbon pollution by 531 million tons a year, nearly 25% by 2020 from 2012 levels.
The study found that it will deliver over $50bn in health and environmental benefits.
NextGen Climate America chief operating officer and senior fellow at NRDC who oversaw development of the NRDC proposal Daniel Lashof said most Americans support curbing dangerous carbon pollution from power plants because it’s the right thing to do.
"Cleaning up dirty power plants can be a bonanza for public health and a boon for energy efficiency jobs – and save Americans on their electric bills," Lashof added.
"This is a winning step toward a cleaner, cheaper and healthier 21st Century energy future. It’s time to get moving."
The states which will benefit from climate action include Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Arkansas Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nevada, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Virginia.
NRDC energy program co-director Sheryl Carter said energy efficiency is the cheapest, fastest and cleanest way to cut carbon emissions, and it benefits local communities enormously by putting people to work and lowering bills.
"We are already seeing clear examples of efficiency in action, with huge job and money-savings benefits based on real-world experience by states. This analysis shows that carbon standards that use efficiency as a key strategy will expand these benefits to a much bigger scale. We need to do this now," Carter said.
Image: New carbon pollution standards can save Americans $37.4bn on their electric bills in 2020. Photo: Courtesy of dan/ FreeDigitalPhotos.net.
