The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently released final standards for the Clean Power Plan, which limits carbon pollution from power plants. The release of these standards is great news for Colorado’s small businesses because they will encourage innovation, promote investment in clean energy technologies and provide opportunities for lower energy costs.
Small Business Majority’s scientific opinion polling found 87 percent of small-business owners believe improving clean-energy innovation and energy efficiency are good ways to increase prosperity for small businesses through job creation and potential cost savings. The Clean Power Plan will encourage this type of growth by generating investment in new energy technologies and commonsense energy efficiency improvements.
Additionally, these investments will result in lower energy bills, which will put more money in the hands of consumers so they can spend at local businesses. One study estimates the CPP will save Colorado consumers around $26 million per year on electricity bills.
The CPP also allows individual states to meet the new limits in ways that work best for them. Overall, this is an opportunity for us to make smart investments in clean energy and help Colorado’s small businesses thrive.
Tim Gaudette, Small Business Majority
Denver
