Opposing view: Focus on innovation, not mandates

The Clean Power Plan was the wrong answer to a real concern.

To be clear, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce believes that the climate is changing, and that man is contributing to these changes. We also believe that technology and innovation, rather than sweeping federal mandates, offer the best approach for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating the impacts of climate change.

American businesses have led and will continue to lead the world to a cleaner energy future. In the past few decades, we’ve developed emissions-free nuclear power, pioneered new techniques to extract cleaner natural gas, lowered emissions from coal, and decreased the costs of wind and solar. Industry, states and the federal government have partnered to reduce major pollutant levels 67% since 1980, and carbon dioxide emissions have declined to their lowest levels since 1994 despite continued population growth.

In contrast, the Clean Power Plan sought to regulate not only the electricity sector but also large swaths of the economy. The legal challenge, led by the Chamber and 28 states, was one of the broadest in history; the Supreme Court issued an unprecedented stay to block the plan’s implementation.

The plan’s fundamental flaw was that it would have intentionally raised the cost of energy without regard to the impact on families and businesses. Sacrificing affordable and reliable energy would cede one of America’s most important advantages in the global marketplace. Dramatically different requirements on each state would have left many facing major economic hardships and compliance challenges.

Instead of making some energy sources more expensive, we should be expanding alternatives, and making all forms of energy cleaner and more affordable. Any productive climate conversation recognizes that there are other options besides Washington mandates. Business will continue to lead by bringing innovation, technology and ingenuity to this challenge.