Action on climate change compatible with long-term U.S. economic growth

The study, which assessed the impacts of the partnership's legislative plan, found that measures being proposed would cost the average American household $57, $89, and $269 in 2015, 2020, and 2030, respectively. Over the same time period, household consumption, a measure of household purchasing power, is expected to rise by around 70 percent, while emissions are being reduced.

RTI economist Martin Ross said the analysis shows that adopting such climate legislation would only cause slight changes in the nation's Gross Domestic Product.

"This analysis, similar with others, indicates that moderate action to address greenhouse gas emissions can be implemented without appreciable negative effects on our nation's economic growth," said Ross, the study's primary investigator from RTI.

The study did find that use of emissions offsets is an essential ingredient in containing costs. Ross said delays or strict limits on a domestic and international offsets program will very likely increase total costs to the economy.

To conduct the study, RTI economists used their ADAGE economic simulation model to assess the long-term economic impacts of the proposed measures. The model, which covers all aspects of the economy, energy consumption and production and GHG emissions, has also been used extensively by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to evaluate the effects of proposed Congressional legislation.

The USCAP study's findings are significant and timely. Negotiators are currently in Copenhagen, Denmark, working on a new international agreement regarding climate change. In addition, earlier this week, the U.S. EPA announced plans to regulate greenhouse gases under the Clean Air Act.