EPA’s 111(d) Rule Provide Flexible Guidelines to Achieve Greenhouse Gas Reduction Targets

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released guidelines around how each state will develop plans to achieve greenhouse gas reduction targets under section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act, as part of the Obama Administration’s Climate Action Plan. In June 2013, President Obama directed the EPA to issue regulations for carbon pollution from existing power plants.

Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) appreciates the significant outreach and stakeholder engagement conducted by Administrator McCarthy and the EPA in conjunction with the rule's development. It is expected that this first-ever national program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the power sector will advance investments in clean energy technologies throughout the country and provide tremendous environmental benefit.

As a result of California's progressive and forward-leaning policies, the state is already on track to achieve the reductions prescribed by the new rules. In fact, California’s climate programs, which PG&E has supported and been an integral part of their implementation, are working successfully. The company believes that the rule provides the flexibility for the state to continue to make progress. PG&E will work with California's other utilities, the Air Resources Board and other state agencies on an implementation plan that builds off of existing initiatives, while providing the flexibility to meet the rule's emission reduction goals in the most affordable and sustainable manner.

Tony Earley, Chairman, CEO and President of PGE Corporation, commented on the release of the final rule saying, “I congratulate the Administration on finalizing the Clean Power Plan rule and greatly appreciate the significant outreach and engagement with our sector. They took the time to understand that states and regions are in different starting places and have different opportunities for achieving emission reductions. While we are optimistic about the contributions this rule will make, it is very complex and we must complete an assessment of its impact on our customers, state and region.”

“In California, we have gone farther and faster than others in advancing a clean energy economy and making significant changes to the state’s energy supply portfolio. As the state works to implement this new rule, California has the opportunity to continue to set an example for the nation on how to transition to a low-carbon future, while ensuring PG&E and the other energy providers in our state can continue to provide safe, affordable and reliable energy,” concluded Earley.

California's electric sector has made great progress toward achieving a low-carbon future. In 2013, California's electric sector emissions rate was half the national average, while PG&E delivered some of the cleanest electricity to its customers of any utility in the nation. For example, PG&E's emissions rate for delivered electricity was one-third the national average, with more than 55 percent of the company's energy supply coming from greenhouse gas-free emissions sources.

Overall, PG&E has made significant contributions to the state's progress and is well on its way to meeting California’s ambitious clean energy goals through renewables, energy efficiency, support for distributed resources, infrastructure investment, and working to get more electric vehicles on the road.

About PG&E

Pacific Gas and Electric Company, a subsidiary of PG&E Corporation (NYSE:PCG), is one of the largest combined natural gas and electric utilities in the United States. Based in San Francisco, with more than 20,000 employees, the company delivers some of the nation’s cleanest energy to nearly 16 million people in Northern and Central California. For more information, visit www.pge.com/ and www.pge.com/en/about/newsroom/index.page.

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Source: Pacific Gas and Electric Company