Waxman-Markey Electricity Consumer Allocation Map

Waxman-Markey Electricity Consumer Allocation Map

Consumers in red colored states will pay more for electricity to make up for the shortfall in allowances (dollars in millions).

JUNE 18, 2009

Based on the allowance allocation formula in H.R. 2454 for electricity consumers, the red states will not have enough allowances to cover their emissions from electricity generation. The shortfall in allowances to the red states will lead to higher electricity costs for consumers, the total of which will roughly correlate with the dollar losses noted on the map. For example, Texas electricity consumers will see electricity costs go up by roughly $1 billion. To make up the shortfall, red states will have to seek high-cost, non-CO2 emitting electricity sources, reduce electricity production and consumption, or purchase allowances from the green states, or purchase domestic and international offsets, likely a combination of the three.