Impacts of Comprehensive Climate and Energy Policy Options on the United States Economy

This study compiles and updates the findings of 16 comprehensive state climate action plans and extrapolates the results to the nation. The study then takes those results and using a widely accepted econometric model projects the national impact of these policies on employment, incomes, gross domestic product (GDP), and consumer energy prices. Findings show potential national improvements from implementation of a top set of 23 major sector-based policies and measures drawn from state plans. Assuming full and appropriately scaled implementation of all 23 actions in all U.S. states, the resulting greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions would surpass national GHG targets proposed by President Obama and congressional legislation and would reduce U.S. emissions to 27% below 1990 levels in 2020, equal to 4.46 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (BMt CO2e).