Washington, DC - National Grid filed comments today on the EPA’s Clean Energy Power Plan and issued a statement supporting the proposed regulations, which aim to reduce carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from existing power plants.

The regulations provide flexibility in compliance with the CO2 reductions through energy efficiency, natural gas, renewable energy and other energy management options. Additionally, the proposed rule credits ongoing efforts to reduce carbon emissions through market-based mechanisms like the successful Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI).

“We continue to support the EPA’s efforts to reduce emissions through sensible and practical regulation,” said National Grid US president Tom King. “Our suggestions include ensuring that there is sufficient time to build the infrastructure necessary to continue providing reliable energy under the new regulations and encouraging continued development of energy efficiency programs.”

King added that expanding access to energy efficiency was an especially exciting aspect of the plan. “At National Grid we like to say that the cleanest, cheapest kilowatt hour of electricity is the one that is never used.

“The Obama Administration and EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy have done a terrific job crafting regulations that promote environmental and human health through a host of clean energy options. We look forward to working together to reduce emissions from the energy sector and create a cleaner energy future.”

National Grid has long supported efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from its footprint, and has established reduction goals of 45% by 2020 and 80% by 2050, from year 1990 baseline levels. The company has already exceeded the 2020 target and is preparing for the challenges of making the 2050 target.

About National Grid

National Grid (LSE: NG; NYSE:NGG) is an electricity and gas company that connects consumers to energy sources through its networks. The company is at the heart of one of the greatest challenges facing our society - to create new, sustainable energy solutions for the future and develop an energy system that underpins economic prosperity in the 21st century. National Grid holds a vital position at the center of the energy system and it ‘joins everything up’.

In the northeast U.S., we connect more than seven million gas and electric customers to vital energy sources, essential for our modern lifestyles. In Great Britain, we run the gas and electricity systems that our society is built on, delivering gas and electricity across the country.

National Grid delivers electricity to approximately 3.3 million customers in Massachusetts, New York and Rhode Island. It is the largest distributor of natural gas in northeastern U.S., serving approximately 3.4 million customers in New York, Massachusetts and Rhode Island.