National Implications of Utility CO2 Targets

Many electricity utilities are announcing voluntary carbon dioxide (CO2) reduction goals for emissions from their generating units.  Utilities with such goals account for at least 75% of electric sector CO2 emissions as of 2018.  In addition, several states now have legislation requiring electric sector decarbonization in their jurisdiction by 2050 or earlier.  This technical update investigates the implications for U.S.-wide electric sector CO2 emissions if all utilities meet their stated goals, and if all states meet their legislated targets.  The results also include high level estimates of the $/ton implicit costs of reaching these targets given current technology costs, fuel costs, and other assumptions.

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