Dirty power plants in the US represent one of the largest single sources of global greenhouse gas emissions. The US currently relies on a number of coal and natural gas power plants, as well as oil powered generators that can be called on when electricity demand peaks. Shutting down these dirty power plants is one of the biggest steps the US can take to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. 

The US must overcome several challenges if it is going to phase out dirty electricity quickly. First, the US must overcome its powerful fossil lobby, which will fight to protect their dirty assets. Moreover, dirty electricity must be replaced by a cleaner renewable energy system. While such a system is expected to be much cheaper overall, it will require a relatively large amount of up-front investment. Clean generators cost money, as do batteries and other flexible technologies to ensure that the availability of ‘intermittent’ solar and wind energy, for example, lines up with energy demand. Upgrading the US’ fragmented electrical grid, which is split into several different chunks, also poses an economic and infrastructural challenge. Fortunately, as the largest economy in the world, the United States is well placed to overcome these barriers thanks to the potential for government funding, subsidies, mandates, coordinated planning, and clever policy making. For example, Clean Electricity Standards are policy mandates that require a state to switch from dirty to clean power plants, and are becoming increasingly common across the country.

Discard 1 card from your hand, then remove 1 Dirty Energy token from your player board for each Incentive tag in this card's stack.

• Phase out unabated coal and fossil gas electricity generation (Systems Change Lab) 

• The U.S. wants to slash carbon emissions from power plants. Natural gas is in the way (NPR)

• Join, or spend some time with, or support an organization or local group that is pushing for the phaseout of dirty electricity and fossil fuel energy more widely, such as the Sunrise Movement.

• Ask your political representatives to work harder to phase out fossil fuels. You might also ask them to invest in and streamline the buildout of clean energy generators and crucially, the infrastructure to support them, including batteries and other flexible tech.