by Shannon Halligan, KSHB – 41 Action News
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Both Kansas and Missouri will need to cut its carbon emissions by at least 20 percent if new recommendations by Environmental Protection Agency are put into effect.
The federal government laid out a plan Monday to lower carbon pollution throughout the country. The recommendations call for a 30 percent reduction in carbon dioxide emissions by 2030 when compared to levels in 2005.
The EPA has proposed specific goals for each state. Missouri is one of the most coal-reliant states in the country at 83 percent coal-powered energy. The state would need a roughly 21 percent drop when compared to 2012 emissions. Kansas would need to cut 23 percent.
The EPA says a shift away from coal energy will reduce electric bills in the long run and cleaner air will save billions on healthcare.
Kansas City based energy company “Brightergy” believes the change will create new jobs.
“What that does is gives us all, as a state, as citizens of Missouri something to work towards,” said Rachel Simmons, the PR Manager at Brightergy.
Originally published at 41 Action News