Clean Power Plan Will Unleash New Opportunities for Small Businesses
Statement by John Arensmeyer, Founder & CEO of Small Business Majority, on the Environmental Protection Agency's release today of national carbon emission standards, which can increase energy efficiency and reduce energy expenses for small businesses
The Administration released rules today under the Clean Power Plan limiting carbon emissions from power plants for the first time, which will reduce carbon pollution, lower energy costs and create new market opportunities for small businesses.
Rules such as these are strongly supported by small businesses. Small Business Majority's opinion polling found the majority of small businesses support the EPA's efforts to reduce emissions from existing power plants to curb the impact of carbon pollution. In addition, the vast majority of entrepreneurs (87 percent) believe investing in clean energy can stimulate the economy and create jobs now.
Additionally, as part of Small Business Majority's national sign-on campaign, more than 100 small business owners from across the country have signed onto a letter urging lawmakers to support the Clean Power Plan because they believe clean energy policies like these can spur innovation and create jobs.
Each state will be able to develop its own plan to meet the guidelines under the Clean Power Plan, giving them flexibility to craft a blueprint that best fits the needs of their residents and businesses. By meeting these standards, states will improve the efficiency of existing power plants, adopt renewable energy sources and increase energy efficiency standards. What's more, a report from the University of Maryland and Industrial Economics found that the rules will create up to 273,000 jobs between 2025 and 2040.
Clean energy policies like the Clean Power Plan encourage innovation, unleashing new economic opportunities for small businesses and providing cost savings. Under these rules, small businesses will save money on energy costs due to more efficient standards and capitalize on these savings by forging new avenues in our growing clean energy economy.
About Small Business Majority
Small Business Majority is a national small business advocacy organization, founded and run by small business owners to focus on solving the biggest problems facing America's 28 million small businesses today. Since 2005, we have actively engaged small business owners and policymakers in support of public policy solutions, and have delivered information and resources to entrepreneurs that promote small business growth and drive a strong, sustainable economy. We are a team of more than 30 working from our 11 offices in Washington, D.C. and 9 states, with a network of more than 45,000 small business owners and more than 2,000 business organizations, along with a formal strategic partnership program of more than 125 business organizations, enabling us to reach more than 500,000 entrepreneurs. Our extensive scientific polling, focus groups and economic research help us educate and inform policymakers, the media and other stakeholders about issues including taxes, healthcare, access to capital, entrepreneurship, workforce development, clean energy and immigration. Learn more about us on our website and follow us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.