Electric Grid

 

 

 

Our Plan To Build A Clean And Resilient Electric Grid To Drive Economy-Wide Decarbonization By Midcentury

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eliminating Emissions and Boosting Grid Resilience

The electricity sector is the second-largest source of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States, accounting for 27% of U.S. emissions in 2018. Rapid decarbonization of the electricity sector is the linchpin of any comprehensive climate strategy, as electrification of key end uses in the transportation, building, and industrial sectors will be essential. Power sector emissions will not fall as quickly as necessary without policy action to deploy more clean energy and energy efficiency; expand interstate transmission infrastructure; and reform wholesale power markets. As the electric grid becomes the central feature of federal climate policy, its resilience to climate-related threats becomes even more paramount.

Congressional action remains imperative to foster innovation and drive clean energy deployment and infrastructure investment, including to modernize and expand the electric grid; correct failures in wholesale power markets; and ensure that low-income communities, communities of color, and deindustrialized communities reap the benefits of a cleaner, more resilient power sector.

 

Achieve net-zero emissions in the electricity sector by 2040 by establishing a technology-neutral Clean Energy Standard that credits zero-emission technologies, including wind, solar, energy storage, nuclear, hydropower, and fossil energy with carbon capture use and storage.

Boost near-term deployment of clean energy by extending and expanding tax incentives for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and zero-carbon electricity sources.

Maximize energy efficiency by establishing an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard to smooth out rising electricity demand from electrification and reduce energy costs for consumers.

Upgrade and expand electric transmission infrastructure to tap new renewable energy sources, develop a long-term electric infrastructure strategy, and build toward a National Supergrid.

Help clean energy sources to compete on a level playing field by removing roadblocks in wholesale power markets.

Bring new clean energy and advanced grid technologies to market through investments in research, development, demonstration, and deployment.

Ensure all communities benefit from clean energy resources by reauthorizing and expanding the Energy Efficiency Conservation Block Grant program and improving targeted financial incentives for rural and low-income communities, tribes, and territories.

Enhance community resilience to climate impacts by supporting deployment of microgrids and distributed energy resources.

Improve grid resilience by developing resilience standards for grid infrastructure and funding state and local measures to harden the grid and upgrade transmission and distribution systems.