As the merits of the EPA’s Clean Power Plan are argued at an appeals court Tuesday, recent data is adding more backbone to arguments in favor of the rules to reduce carbon emissions.

Separate reports from Georgia Tech and the Alliance for Industrial Efficiency show how implementation of the Clean Power Plan can boost competitiveness for manufacturers in Michigan and other states.

Clean energy consultant Douglas Jester says in Michigan it’s clear that energy efficiency strategies reduce energy bills.

"These studies have shown that industrial customers of electric utilities save money if the utilities follow the policies driven by the Clean Power Plan rather than business as usual."

According to the Alliance report, industrial energy efficiency can save businesses nearly 300 billion dollars from avoided electricity purchases.