Executive Summary

In this updated report, we explain why action this year is essential for 100% clean electricity, and how a CEPP and complementary investments (all of which fit with Senate budget reconciliation rules) will unlock the rapid decarbonization we need.

The Clean Electricity Performance Program is the most powerful tool in our toolbox to reduce America’s carbon pollution and help us avoid the worst impacts of the climate crisis—and the program will be a powerful driver to eliminate deadly air pollution, create millions of new clean energy jobs, and put money back in consumers’ pockets by delivering cheaper, cleaner energy. Now it’s up to President Biden and Congressional Democrats to get it across the finish line.

Cleaning up our power grid is essential to winning the fight against the climate crisis, and a federal policy that is modelled after successful state Clean Electricity Standards (CES), but made compatible with Senate budget reconciliation rules is the best policy to make it happen. This policy, known as a Clean Electricity Performance Program (CEPP), will create millions of new jobs, eliminate poisonous air pollution, and reduce utility bills for ratepayers across the country.

If federal lawmakers pass a well-designed CEPP and robust complementary investments this year, it will put the U.S. on a path to 80% clean electricity by 2030, and 100% by 2035.

This power sector transformation can achieve over half of President Biden’s commitment for a 50-52% reduction in domestic greenhouse gas pollution by 2030. Coupled with simultaneous efforts to electrify buildings, transportation, and parts of heavy industry, this clean electricity can eventually drive 70-80% reductions in America’s climate pollution, providing a real opportunity to avoid the worst impacts of climate change and to build a just and thriving clean energy economy.

In this update to the February 2021 report, A Roadmap to 100% Clean Electricity by 2035, from Evergreen Action and Data for Progress, we explain how action in the coming months is essential. Congress must pass bold investments in clean energy through budget reconciliation. The administration must also begin making important progress toward 100% carbon-free power under its existing authorities. We summarize the CEPP that’s been proposed in Congress: an investment program that would mimic the impact of a traditional CES and achieve the goals of sustained, effective, and equitable power sector decarbonization. We also outline additional, essential investments that are critical to reaching 100% carbon-free electricity, creating millions of good-paying jobs, and driving greater health outcomes and economic opportunities in disadvantaged and energy transition communities.