The Impact of the Clean Power Plan on the Environment

Clean Power Plan is one of the recent environmental laws proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The bill is designed to cut carbon pollution from power plants. It will help in reducing hundreds of millions of tons of carbon released daily from the coal-powered plants (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2016). The law intends to put national limits on carbon pollution levels (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 2016). However, the law has received a lot of criticisms from businesses, industry groups, and some states, who believe that the law may hamper industries that rely on coal power. These groups have so far filed the case to stop the law. Nevertheless, there is a possibility that the law will be amended. 

Despite the fact that the proposed bill is under criticism, I believe that the bill has many positive consequences to my community and the world in general. The first impact of the law is that it will lower the amount of carbon and carbon derivatives from getting into the environment. Carbon, according to the environmental studies, is the leading cause of global warming. Consequently, if the national limits of carbon pollution level are effected, it means that less carbon will be released. Lower carbon emission reduces global warming, which in turn reduce climatic hazards such as desertification and aridity. It will also facilitate reliable rainfall and hence make my community green. Also, the proposed bill will ensure that the air we breathe is fresh and safe, hence protecting us from air-borne diseases. It will also reduce cancer because carbon and its derivates are carcinogenic. Based on these consequences, I fully support the legislation because its long-term consequences outweigh the cost. 

Reference 

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (2016). Fact Sheet: Clean Power Plan Benefits. Why we need a cleaner, more efficient power sector . Retrieved from: https://www.epa.gov/cleanpowerplan/fact-sheet-clean-power-plan-benefits