The EPA, under President Obama’s administration, issued a regulatory action in June 2014, through section 111d of the Clean Air Act which mandates that carbon dioxide levels from power plants must be cut by 30% by 2030 from 2012 levels. This action could take the United States a step further in combating climate change. The 30% goal is a national one; each state has its own goals.  The state-by-state goals are based on three factors: existing natural gas capacity,current efficiency of energy generating units, and potential for renewable energy generation.

This research will focus on two states: Wyoming and Washington in an attempt to look at how these goals can be achieved and possible economic impact of the goal. These states were chosen because they are very different in concerns of energy production and consumption. Comparing and contrasting these states will provide an understanding of the type of effects this regulatory action may have on the nation. How do these regulations affect coal usage, future expectations for individual state economies, and the potential energy mix within the states? All these aspects paint a picture of how society will move forward with these regulations.