National Grid Moves To Intervene In Support Of EPA's Clean Power Plan

National Grid US joins with other power producers to support rules regulating emissions

WALTHAM, Mass., – National Grid U.S. has joined a group of generators to legally intervene in support of the U.S Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Clean Power Plan (CPP). The group, consisting of some of the nation’s cleanest energy suppliers, will explain that through investment in low- and zero-emissions generation capacity, the companies have reduced carbon dioxide emission within their generating fleets and portfolios, while continuing to provide reliable and affordable electricity to customers.

“The Clean Power Plan is reasonable and achievable,” said National Grid U.S. president, Dean Seavers. “If we are to solve for the great challenge of our time — climate change — every player in the energy supply chain, including system operators, generators, distributors, and policy makers must collaborate at a level our country has never seen before. National Grid has long supported efforts to reduced greenhouse gas emissions within our footprint and beyond. The Clean Power Plan helps us realize that important objective.”

On October 23, 2015, EPA finalized its Clean Power Plan, which aims to reduce carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity generation sector. On November 5th, National Grid U.S. joined Calpine Corporation, Austin Energy, Pacific Gas and Electric Company, and Seattle City Light in filing a Motion to Intervene in support of the EPA.

National Grid has supported efforts to reduced greenhouse gas emissions from its footprint and has established reduction goals of 45% by 2020 and 80% by 2050, from year 1990 baseline levels. Due in large part to investments in its electricity generation operations, natural gas and electricity distribution networks, National Grid’s total emissions in the US have decreased by 65% from 1990 to 2013. The company’s generation fleet is also participating in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which is expected to satisfy the requirements of the CPP.