以下是官方公布的原文：  

美国总统奥巴马8月3日在华盛顿宣布了美国《清洁电力计划》的最终方案。这个计划将对美国温室气体排放施加更严格的限制，并成为迄今为止美国应对气候变化迈出的“最重要”一步。根据计划，到2030年美国发电厂碳排放目标将在2005年基础上减少32%，这意味着大量燃煤电厂将关闭，太阳能和风能发电获得全新发展动力。           

On August 3, President Obama and EPA announced theClean Power Plan – a historic and important step in reducing carbonpollution from power plants that takes real action on climate change. Shaped byyears of unprecedented outreach and public engagement, the final Clean PowerPlan is fair, flexible and designed to strengthen the fast-growing trend towardcleaner and lower-polluting American energy. With strong but achievablestandards for power plants, and customized goals for states to cut the carbonpollution that is driving climate change, the Clean Power Plan providesnational consistency, accountability and a level playing field while reflectingeach state’s energy mix. It also shows the world thatthe United States is committed to leading global efforts to address climatechange.      

WHAT IS THE CLEAN POWER PLAN?      

The Clean Power Plan will reduce carbonpollution from power plants, the nation’s largestsource, while maintaining energy reliability and affordability. Also on August3, EPA issued final Carbon Pollution Standards for new, modified, andreconstructed power plants, and proposed a Federal Plan and model rule toassist states in implementing the Clean Power Plan.      

These are the first-ever national standardsthat address carbon pollution from power plants.      

The Clean Power Plan cuts significant amountsof power plant carbon pollution and the pollutants that cause the soot and smogthat harm health, while advancing clean energy innovation, development anddeployment, and laying the foundation for the long-term strategy needed totackle the threat of climate change. By providing states and utilities ampleflexibility and the time needed to achieve these pollution cuts, the CleanPower Plan offers the power sector the ability to optimize pollution reductionswhile maintaining a reliable and affordable supply of electricity for ratepayersand businesses.      

Fossil fuels will continue to be a criticalcomponent of America’s energy future. The Clean PowerPlan simply makes sure that fossil fuel-fired power plants will operate morecleanly and efficiently, while expanding the capacity for zero- andlow-emitting power sources.      

The final rule is the result of unprecedented outreach to states, tribes,utilities, stakeholders and the public, including more than 4.3 millioncomments EPA received on the proposed rule. The final Clean Power Plan reflectsthat input, and gives states and utilities time to preserve ample, reliable andaffordable power for all Americans.      

WHY WE NEED THE CLEAN POWER PLAN      

In 2009, EPA determined that greenhouse gaspollution threatens Americans' health and welfare by leading to long-lastingchanges in our climate that can have a range of negative effects on humanhealth and the environment. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the most prevalentgreenhouse gas pollutant, accounting for nearly three-quarters of globalgreenhouse gas emissions and 82 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.      

Climate change is one of the greatestenvironmental and public health challenges we face. Climate impacts affect allAmericans’ lives – fromstronger storms to longer droughts and increased insurance premiums, foodprices and allergy seasons.      

2014 was the hottest year in recorded history,and 14 of the 15 warmest years on record have all occurred in the first 15years of this century. Recorded temperatures in the first half of 2015 werealso warmer than normal.      

Overwhelmingly, the best scientists in theworld, relying on troves of data and millions of measurements collected overthe course of decades on land, in air and water, at sea and from space, aretelling us that our activities are causing climate change.      

The most vulnerable among us – including children, older adults, people with heart or lung diseaseand people living in poverty – may be most at risk fromthe impacts of climate change.      

Fossil fuel-fired power plants are by far the largestsource of U.S. CO2 emissions, making up 32 percent of U.S. total greenhouse gasemissions.      

Taking action now is critical. Reducing CO2 emissions from power plants, anddriving investment in clean energy technologies strategies that do so, is an essentialstep in lessening the impacts of climate change and providing a more certainfuture for our health, our environment, and future generations.      

BENEFITS OF IMPLEMENTING THE CLEAN POWER PLAN        

The transition to clean energy is happeningfaster than anticipated. This means carbon and air pollution are alreadydecreasing, improving public health each and every year.      

The Clean Power Plan accelerates this momentum,putting us on pace to cut this dangerous pollution to historically low levelsin the future.      

When the Clean Power Plan is fully in place in2030, carbon pollution from the power sector will be 32 percent below 2005levels, securing progress and making sure it continues.      

The transition to cleaner sources of energywill better protect Americans from other harmful air pollution, too. By 2030,emissions of sulfur dioxide from power plants will be 90 percent lower comparedto 2005 levels, and emissions of nitrogen oxides will be 72 percent lower.Because these pollutants can create dangerous soot and smog, the historicallylow levels mean we will avoid thousands of premature deaths and have thousandsfewer asthma attacks and hospitalizations in 2030 and every year beyond.      

Within this larger context, the Clean PowerPlan itself is projected to contribute significant pollution reductions,resulting in important benefits, including:      

o Climate benefits of $20 billion      

o Health benefits of $14-$34 billion      

o Net benefits of $26-$45 billion      

？ Because carbon pollution comes packaged withother dangerous air pollutants, the Clean Power Plan will also protect publichealth, avoiding each year:      

o 3,600 premature deaths      

o 1,700 heart attacks      

o 90,000 asthma attacks      

o 300,000 missed work days and school days        

HOW THE CLEAN POWER PLAN WORKS      

The Clean Air Act –under section 111(d) – creates a partnership betweenEPA, states, tribes and U.S. territories – with EPAsetting a goal and states and tribes choosing how they will meet it.      

o The final Clean Power Plan follows that approach. EPA isestablishing interim and final carbon dioxide (CO2) emission performance ratesfor two subcategories of fossil fuel-fired electric generating units (EGUs):      

o Fossil fuel-fired electric steam generating units (generally,coal- and oil-fired power plants)      

o Natural gas-fired combined cycle generating units      

？ To maximize the range of choices available tostates in implementing the standards and to utilities in meeting them, EPA isestablishing interim and final statewide goals in three forms:      

o A rate-based state goal measured in pounds per megawatt hour(lb/MWh);      

o A mass-based state goal measured in total short tons of CO2;      

o A mass-based state goal with a new source complement measured intotal short tons of CO2.      

States then develop and implement plans thatensure that the power plants in their state – eitherindividually, together or in combination with other measures – achieve the interim CO2 emissions performance rates over the periodof 2022 to 2029 and the final CO2 emission performance rates, rate-based goalsor mass-based goals by 2030.      

These final guidelines are consistent with thelaw and align with the approach that Congress and EPA have always taken toregulate emissions from this and all other industrial sectors – setting source-level, source category-wide standards that sourcescan meet through a variety of technologies and measures.      

STATE PLANS      

The final Clean Power Plan provides guidelinesfor the development, submittal and implementation of state plans that establishstandards of performance or other measures for affected EGUs in order toimplement the interim and final CO2 emission performance rates.      

States must develop and implement plans thatensure the power plants in their state – eitherindividually, together, or in combination with other measures – achieve the equivalent, in terms of either or rate or mass, of theinterim CO2 performance rates between 2022 and 2029, and the final CO2 emissionperformance rates for their state by 2030.      

States may choose between two plan types tomeet their goals:      

o Emission standards plan– includessource-specific requirements ensuring all affected power plants within thestate meet their required emission performance rates or state-specificrate-based or mass-based goal.      

o State measures plan– includes amixture of measures implemented by the state, such as renewable energystandards and programs to improve residential energy efficiency that are notincluded as federally enforceable components of the plan. The plan may alsoinclude federally enforceable source-specific requirements. The state measures,alone or in conjunction with federally enforceable requirements, must result inaffected power plants meeting the state’s mass-basedgoal. The plan must also include a backstop of federally enforceable standardsfor affected power plants that fully meet the emission guidelines and thatwould be triggered if the state measures fail to result in the affected plantsachieving the required emissions reductions on schedule. States may use thefinal model rule, which EPA proposed on August 3, for their backstop.      

In developing its plan, each state will havethe flexibility to select the measures it prefers in order to achieve the CO2emission performance rates for its affected plants or meet the equivalentstatewide rate- or mass-based CO2 goal. States will also have the ability toshape their own emissions reduction pathways over the 2022-29 period.      

The final rule also gives states the option towork with other states on multi-state approaches, including emissions trading,that allow their power plants to integrate their interconnected operationswithin their operating systems and their opportunities to address carbonpollution.      

The flexibility of the rule allows states toreduce costs to consumers, minimize stranded assets and spur privateinvestments in renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies and businesses.      

States can tailor their plans to meet theirrespective energy, environmental and economic needs and goals, and those oftheir local communities by:      

relying on a diverse set of energy resources;      

protecting electric system reliability;      

providing affordable electricity; 

and recognizing investments that states and powercompanies are already making.          

EMISSIONS TRADING      

One cost-effective way that states can meettheir goals is emissions trading, through which affected power plants may meettheir emission standards via emission rate credits (for a rate-based standard)or allowances (for a mass-based standard).      

Trading is a proven approach to addresspollution and provides states and affected plants with another mechanism toachieve their emission standards. Emission trading is a market-based policytool that creates a financial incentive to reduce emissions where the costs ofdoing so are the lowest and clean energy investment enjoys the highest leverage.      

Market-based approaches are generally recognized as having the following benefits:      

o Reduce the cost of compliance      

o Create incentives for early reduction      

o Create incentives for emission reductions beyond those required      

o Promote innovation, and      

o Increase flexibility and ensure reliability      

In addition to including mass-based state goalsto clear the path for mass-based trading plans, the final rule gives states theopportunity to design state rate-based or mass-based plans that will make theirunits “trading ready,” allowingindividual power plants to use out-of-state reductions – in the form of credits or allowances, depending on the plan type – to achieve required CO2 reductions, without the need for up-frontinterstate agreements.      

EPA is committed to supporting states in thetracking of emissions, as well as tracking allowances and credits, to helpimplement multi-state trading or other approaches.      

RELIABILITY ASSURANCE      

The final rule has several features thatreflect EPA’s commitment to ensuring that compliancewith the final rule does not interfere with the industry’s ability to maintain the reliability of the nation’s electricity supply:      

o A long compliance period, and phased-in reduction requirements,providing sufficient time and flexibility for the planning and investmentneeded to maintain system reliability.      

o A basic design that allows states and affected EGUs flexibilityto include a large variety of approaches and measures to achieve theenvironmental goals in a way that is tailored to each state’s and utility’s energy resources andpolicies, including trading within and between states, and other multi-stateapproaches that support electric system reliability.      

o A requirement that each state demonstrate in its final plan thatit has considered reliability issues in developing its plan.      

o A mechanism for a state to seek a revision to its plan in caseunanticipated or significant reliability challenges arise.      

o A reliability safety valve to address situations where, in thewake of an unanticipated event or other extraordinary circumstances, anaffected power plant must provide reliability-critical generationnotwithstanding CO2 emissions constraints that would otherwise apply.      

In addition to the measures outlined in therule EPA, the Department of Energy (DOE) and the Federal Energy RegulatoryCommission (FERC) are coordinating efforts to monitor the implementation of thefinal rule to help preserve continued reliable electricity generation andtransmission.      

STATE PLAN TIMING      

States will be required to submit a final plan,or an initial state plan with an extension request, 13 months after the finalrule, or September 6, 2016.      

Final complete state plans must be submitted nolater than September 6, 2018.      

The final rule provides 15 years for fullimplementation of all emission reduction measures, with incremental steps forplanning and demonstration that will ensure progress is being made in achievingCO2 emission reductions.      

Each state plan must include provisions thatwill allow the state to demonstrate that the plan is making progress towardmeeting the 2030 goal. The Clean Power Plan offers several options for statesto show their progress for meeting interim CO2 emission performance rates orstate CO2 emission interim step goals.      

In addition to offering three multi-year “step down” goals within the interim period,the final rule also allows states to apply measures in a gradual way that thatthey determine is the most cost-effective and feasible.      

During the interim period states are requiredperiodically to compare emission levels achieved by their affected power plantswith emission levels projected in the state plan and report results to EPA.          

HELPING COMMUNITIES BENEFIT FROM CLEAN ENERGY      

The Clean Power Plan gives states theopportunity to ensure that communities share in the benefits of a clean energyeconomy, including energy efficiency and renewable energy.      

EPA is creating a Clean Energy IncentiveProgram (CEIP) to reward early investments in wind and solar generation, aswell as demand-side energy efficiency programs implemented in low-incomecommunities, that deliver results during 2020 and/or 2021. Through thisprogram, EPA intends to make allowances or emission rate credits (ERCs)available to states that incentivize these investments. EPA is providingadditional incentives to encourage energy efficiency investments in low-incomecommunities.          

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE      

The final rule reflects two years ofunprecedented outreach and engagement with stakeholders and the public, andincorporates changes directly responsive to stakeholders’ critical concerns and priorities.      

Public engagement was essential throughout thedevelopment of the Clean Power Plan, and EPA will continue to engage withcommunities and the public now that the rule is final.      

To ensure opportunities for communities – particularly low-income communities, minority communities andtribal communities – to continue to participate indecision making, EPA is requiring that states demonstrate how they are activelyengaging with communities as part of their public participation process in theformulation of state plans.      

The requirement for meaningful engagementwithin state plans will provide an avenue for all communities to both hear fromthe state about strategies that might work best to tackle climate pollution,and to provide input on where possible impacts to low-income communities,minority communities, and tribal communities could occur along with strategiesto mitigate those impacts.      

The final rule includes information oncommunities living near power plants, and EPA will provide additionalinformation to facilitate engagement between communities and states asimplementation of the Clean Power Plan moves forward. For example, the agencywill provide guidance on strategies states can use to meaningfully engage withcommunities, along with other resources and information, on a portal web pagethe agency will develop for communities’use.      

As implementation of the Clean Power Plan goesforward, the agency will conduct air quality evaluations to determine impactsthat state plans may have on vulnerable communities. EPA encourages states toconduct analyses to help states, communities and utilities understand thepotential localized and community impacts of state plans.      

To help with these analyses, EPA will ensure emissions data is available and easily accessed through the Clean Power Plan Communities web page. The agency also will provide demographic information and other data, along with examples analyses that states have conducted to assess the impact of other rules.