President Barack Obama is set to announce the long-awaited regulations that will strengthen the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) ability to limit the amount of carbon emissions produced by existing coal-fired power plants. Although the president's initiative has been criticized by those on the right, experts project that it will have not only a positive effect on the environment, but also on the country's overall economy.

The president's EPA regulations are also expected to be especially beneficial for the state of Virginia. Opponents have warned, particularly in southern states, that the cost of these carbon emission guidelines will be passed along to consumers, who will ultimately see a rise in energy prices. These messages have been discredited by third-party researchers who have looked into how the implementation of these rules will change the Virginia state economy.

According to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the carbon reduction targets of the Obama administration will improve the state's economic standing as well as being able to meet its own energy goals. The report projects that the regulations will actually result in savings on monthly utility bills for customers, as well as improving the employment rate.

"In Virginia, the adoption of these solutions would result in 13,000 new jobs and an increase in gross state product of $400 million," report author Sara Hayes wrote. "This approach saves ratepayers $800 million."

If you are a Virginia resident and would like to improve the energy efficiency of your home, schedule an appointment with home inspection company Alban Inspections today! The services we offer will help you determine where you can be cutting down on your power consumption, making your residence greener and less costly to live in.