President Obama announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s final Clean Power Plan on August 3, which is designed to cut U.S. carbon pollution from the power sector by 870 million tons, or 32 per-cent below 2005 levels, in 2030. Power plants are the largest drivers of climate change in the United States, accounting for roughly one-third of all carbon emissions, but there were no national limits on carbon pollution until this rule.
According to US EPA, the Clean Power Plan accelerates the transition to a clean energy future, which is happening even faster than expected—which means carbon emissions are already decreasing, improving public health year by year. By 2030, the plan will cut carbon emissions from the power sector by nearly a third and additional reductions will come from pollutants that can create dangerous soot and smog, translating to significant health benefits for the American people. By 2030, emissions of sulfur dioxide from power plants will be 90 percent lower and emissions of nitrogen oxides will be 72 percent lower, compared to 2005 levels. Americans will avoid up to 90,000 asthma attacks and spend up to 300,000 more days in the office or the classroom, instead of sick at home.

See the complete article in the Illinois Energy Forum - August 2015