{"id":20086,"date":"2020-05-05T16:06:31","date_gmt":"2020-05-05T21:06:31","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/?p=20086"},"modified":"2020-05-05T16:08:20","modified_gmt":"2020-05-05T21:08:20","slug":"power-company-commitments-to-cut-carbon-pollution-are-an-important-step-for-our-climate-and-health-heres-what-we-need-next","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.edf.org\/climate411\/2020\/05\/05\/power-company-commitments-to-cut-carbon-pollution-are-an-important-step-for-our-climate-and-health-heres-what-we-need-next\/","title":{"rendered":"Power company commitments to cut carbon pollution are an important step for our climate and health. Here\u2019s what we need next."},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>Arizona\u2019s largest utility, Arizona Public Service<\/a>, has joined over a dozen other power companies across the U.S. that have committed to delivering 100% carbon-free electricity by 2050. These commitments, which add to momentum for ambitious climate action and would significantly reduce health-harming pollutants that contribute to soot and smog, are a key step in addressing one of our nation\u2019s leading sources of climate pollution.\u00a0They also highlight the types of action that will be required across all sectors of the U.S. economy to reach net-zero economy-wide carbon pollution by mid-century, a target guided by science and supported in recent bills introduced in the U.S. Senate<\/a> and House of Representatives<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Not only do these commitments show strong federal policy is feasible, they underscore that the Trump administration\u2019s efforts to dismantle limits on carbon pollution from existing power plants<\/a> ignore the most effective strategies for reducing pollution from the power sector.\u00a0In fact, nine of the nation\u2019s leading power companies<\/a> recently submitted a brief in court opposing the Trump administration\u2019s rollback for this very reason.<\/p>\n

At the same time, these commitments by themselves are not enough.\u00a0Due to the cost-effective pollution reduction opportunities in the power sector and the urgent need to reduce climate pollution by electrifying other sectors, even more ambitious near-term targets from power companies will be needed to achieve net-zero emissions economy-wide by 2050. In addition, commitments alone from power companies must be followed up with concrete actions that will achieve real reductions in carbon pollution \u2013 and reduce other harmful pollutants associated with premature death and respiratory illnesses.<\/p>\n

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Ambitious near-term targets and action needed<\/strong><\/p>\n

As the nation\u2019s second-largest source of carbon pollution, the power sector must make significant and rapid reductions in carbon pollution. To reach net-zero economy-wide carbon pollution by 2050, as laid out by the bills recently introduced<\/a> in the House and Senate and avoid the most severe global temperature rise<\/a>, power companies must support their net-zero mid-century goals with ambitious near-term targets and real-world action. Power sector carbon pollution reductions of 80% or more by 2030 capture the magnitude of reduction and degree of commitment to immediate action that will be necessary. It is crucial that power companies take action and pursue aggressive near-term decarbonization.<\/p>\n

In Colorado, these commitments have been enacted into state law. Senate Bill 236<\/a> established a requirement for the state\u2019s largest utility to reduce carbon emissions 80% below 2005 levels by 2030, in line with Xcel\u2019s commitment.<\/p>\n

Utilities across the country are setting strong goals<\/strong><\/p>\n

Other major utilities have followed suit with their own targets:<\/p>\n