A new report from the non-profit Acadia Center presents a strategy for seven states in the Northeast to use market-ready technologies to establish a low-carbon energy system by the year 2030.

EnergyVision 2030 describes a path to reducing carbon emissions by 45% (from 1990 levels) by 2030, and by 80% by 2050. Reaching these goals will require that 17% of cars on the road be electric, and that 57% of power generation come from renewable sources.

Some states in the region are already hitting the targets, or coming close. For instance, in Massachusetts, EV sales have grown at an annual a rate of 40% for the past two years, almost the rate necessary to hit the 17% goal.

“It’s never been clearer that state leadership is needed to capture the benefits of a clean energy future,” noted Daniel Sosland, President of the Acadia Center. “EnergyVision 2030 offers good news: Northeast states are in a position to create a truly modern, clean energy future and provide the economic, consumer and public health benefits associated with a clean energy system.”

Source: Acadia Center