About NACAA's Menu of Options

In June 2014, EPA issued a proposed rule setting carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission standards for existing fossil fuel-fired power plants.  The proposal, also called the Clean Power Plan (CPP), was promulgated under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act. 

To help states develop plans to meet their CPP emissions goals, NACAA has developed a technical document identifying a wide range of technologies, programs and policies that agencies might employ to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the power sector as part of a CPP implementation plan.   Entitled Implementing EPA’s Clean Power Plan: A Menu of Options, the tool is available for download below.

The Menu begins with 25 detailed chapters, each of which explores various approaches to GHG reduction in the electric sector.  Each chapter starts with a profile, that is, a short description of the pros and cons of the approach.  Next, the regulatory backdrop, policy underpinnings, implementation experience, and GHG reduction potential associated with the approach are discussed.  Each chapter then looks at co-benefits of the approach, including benefits to society and the utility system. Costs and cost-effectiveness are also explored. Finally, in Chapter 26, the Menu more briefly examines a variety of emerging technologies and other important policies that regulators may wish to consider as they formulate plans to reduce power sector GHG emissions.  Each of these chapters may be downloaded below either individually or as part of the complete Menu.

NACAA is grateful to The Regulatory Assistance Project (RAP) for its invaluable assistance in developing this document.

Download NACAA's Menu of Options

Below you can download the entire NACAA Menu of Options or individual chapters.

Implementing EPA's Clean Power Plan: A Menu of Options (May 21, 2015)

• Full report (high resolution - 23.9MB)
• Full report (low resolution - 7.4MB)

Individual chapters for NACAA Menu of Options 

• Executive Summary
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Optimize Power Plant Operations
• Chapter 2: Implement Combined Heat and Power in the Electric Sector
• Chapter 3: Implement Combined Heat and Power in Other Sectors
• Chapter 4: Improve Coal Quality
• Chapter 5: Optimize Grid Operations
• Chapter 6: Increase Generation from Low-Emissions Resources
• Chapter 7: Pursue Carbon Capture and Utilization or Sequestration
• Chapter 8: Retire Aging Power Plants
• Chapter 9: Switch Fuels at Existing Power Plants
• Chapter 10: Reduce Losses in the Transmission and Distribution System
• Chapter 11: Establish Energy Savings Targets for Utilities
• Chapter 12: Foster New Markets for Energy Efficiency
• Chapter 13: Pursue Behavioral Efficiency Programs
• Chapter 14: Boost Appliance Efficiency Standards
• Chapter 15: Boost Building Energy Codes
• Chapter 16: Increase Clean Energy Procurement Requirements
• Chapter 17: Encourage Clean Distributed Generation
• Chapter 18: Revise Transmission Planning and Cost Allocation
• Chapter 19: Revise Capacity Market Practices and Policies
• Chapter 20: Improve Integration of Renewables into the Grid
• Chapter 21: Change the Dispatch Order of Power Plants
• Chapter 22: Improve Utility Resource Planning Practices
• Chapter 23: Improve Demand Response Policies and Programs
• Chapter 24: Adopt Market-Based Emissions Reduction Programs
• Chapter 25: Tax Carbon Dioxide Emissions
• Chapter 26: Consider Emerging Technologies and Other Important Policies