From a National Environmental Trust report on "Sources of Greenhouse Gases in the United States":
Coal accounts for about half of electricity generation in terms of kilowatt hours, but 83% of carbon dioxide emissions from the electricity sector, the largest piece of the pie in terms of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
Natural gas, in contrast, generates nearly 20% of the country’s electricity but is responsible for 12% of emissions in this sector because it is a less carbon-intensive fuel.
Showing posts with label Coal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Coal. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Wednesday, August 8, 2007
More Coal Factoids
More on Coal from the Pew Center on Global Climate Change:
Coal plays a major role in meeting U.S. energy needs, and is likely to continue to do so in coming decades.
* Coal can provide usable energy at a cost of between $1 and $2 per MMBtu compared to $6 to $12 per MMBtu for oil and natural gas, and coal prices are relatively stable.
* Coal is inherently higher-polluting and more carbon-intensive than other energy alternatives.
* 50 percent of the electricity generated in the United States is from coal.
* U.S. coal-fired plants have over 300 GW of capacity. Of these, approximately one-third date from 1970 or earlier, and most of the rest from 1970-1989. Only 12 coal-fired plants have been built in the United States since 1990.
* Steep and volatile natural gas prices and high nuclear power costs have led to an estimated 130 new coal-fired plants now on the drawing boards
Coal plays a major role in meeting U.S. energy needs, and is likely to continue to do so in coming decades.
* Coal can provide usable energy at a cost of between $1 and $2 per MMBtu compared to $6 to $12 per MMBtu for oil and natural gas, and coal prices are relatively stable.
* Coal is inherently higher-polluting and more carbon-intensive than other energy alternatives.
* 50 percent of the electricity generated in the United States is from coal.
* U.S. coal-fired plants have over 300 GW of capacity. Of these, approximately one-third date from 1970 or earlier, and most of the rest from 1970-1989. Only 12 coal-fired plants have been built in the United States since 1990.
* Steep and volatile natural gas prices and high nuclear power costs have led to an estimated 130 new coal-fired plants now on the drawing boards
Tuesday, August 7, 2007
Coal Factoids
From the Pew Center on Global Climate Change:
One 500-MW coal-fired power plant produces approximately 3 million tons/year of carbon dioxide (CO2).
The United States produces close to 2 billion tons of CO2 per year from coal-burning power plants.
Greenhouse Gas emissions from coal-fired electricity, now 27 percent of total U.S. emissions, are projected to grow by a third by 2025.
One 500-MW coal-fired power plant produces approximately 3 million tons/year of carbon dioxide (CO2).
The United States produces close to 2 billion tons of CO2 per year from coal-burning power plants.
Greenhouse Gas emissions from coal-fired electricity, now 27 percent of total U.S. emissions, are projected to grow by a third by 2025.
Monday, July 2, 2007
Wind vs. Coal #2: Water
From the Union of Concerned Scientists:
A typical 500-megawatt coal-fired power plant draws about 2.2 billion gallons of water each year from nearby water bodies, such as lakes, rivers, or oceans, to create steam for turning its turbines. This is enough water to support a city of approximately 250,000 people.
Wind power generates electricity with...
* No cooling water
* No water pollution
Coal vs. Wind
Coal generates 54% of our electricity, and is the single biggest air polluter in the U.S.
A typical 500-megawatt coal-fired power plant draws about 2.2 billion gallons of water each year from nearby water bodies, such as lakes, rivers, or oceans, to create steam for turning its turbines. This is enough water to support a city of approximately 250,000 people.
Wind power generates electricity with...
* No cooling water
* No water pollution
Coal vs. Wind
Coal generates 54% of our electricity, and is the single biggest air polluter in the U.S.
Sunday, July 1, 2007
Wind Week: Wind vs. Coal Emissions
From the Union of Concerned Scientists:
Burning coal is a leading cause of smog, acid rain, global warming, and air toxics. In an average year, a typical coal plant generates:
* 3,700,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary human cause of global warming--as much carbon dioxide as cutting down 161 million trees.
* 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which causes acid rain that damages forests, lakes, and buildings, and forms small airborne particles that can penetrate deep into lungs.
* 500 tons of small airborne particles, which can cause chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma, and premature death, as well as haze obstructing visibility.
* 10,200 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx), as much as would be emitted by half a million late-model cars. NOx leads to formation of ozone (smog) which inflames the lungs, burning through lung tissue making people more susceptible to respiratory illness.
* 720 tons of carbon monoxide (CO), which causes headaches and place additional stress on people with heart disease.
* 220 tons of hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOC), which form ozone.
* 170 pounds of mercury, where just 1/70th of a teaspoon deposited on a 25-acre lake can make the fish unsafe to eat.
* 225 pounds of arsenic, which will cause cancer in one out of 100 people who drink water containing 50 parts per billion.
* 114 pounds of lead, 4 pounds of cadmium, other toxic heavy metals, and trace amounts of uranium.
Wind power generates electricity with...
* No air emissions
Coal vs. Wind
Comment: A typical coal plant produces about 500 megawatts or electricity for about 100,000 households. There are about 600 in the U.S.
For a discussion of this year's victory in halting the construction of 8 new coal fired plants in Texas, see the following article from Environmental Defense.
http://environmentaldefense.org/article.cfm?contentID=5983
For some spectacular photos of off-shore wind farms check out:
Dark Roasted Blend's piece on wind-power-in-stormy-waters.
Burning coal is a leading cause of smog, acid rain, global warming, and air toxics. In an average year, a typical coal plant generates:
* 3,700,000 tons of carbon dioxide (CO2), the primary human cause of global warming--as much carbon dioxide as cutting down 161 million trees.
* 10,000 tons of sulfur dioxide (SO2), which causes acid rain that damages forests, lakes, and buildings, and forms small airborne particles that can penetrate deep into lungs.
* 500 tons of small airborne particles, which can cause chronic bronchitis, aggravated asthma, and premature death, as well as haze obstructing visibility.
* 10,200 tons of nitrogen oxide (NOx), as much as would be emitted by half a million late-model cars. NOx leads to formation of ozone (smog) which inflames the lungs, burning through lung tissue making people more susceptible to respiratory illness.
* 720 tons of carbon monoxide (CO), which causes headaches and place additional stress on people with heart disease.
* 220 tons of hydrocarbons, volatile organic compounds (VOC), which form ozone.
* 170 pounds of mercury, where just 1/70th of a teaspoon deposited on a 25-acre lake can make the fish unsafe to eat.
* 225 pounds of arsenic, which will cause cancer in one out of 100 people who drink water containing 50 parts per billion.
* 114 pounds of lead, 4 pounds of cadmium, other toxic heavy metals, and trace amounts of uranium.
Wind power generates electricity with...
* No air emissions
Coal vs. Wind
Comment: A typical coal plant produces about 500 megawatts or electricity for about 100,000 households. There are about 600 in the U.S.
For a discussion of this year's victory in halting the construction of 8 new coal fired plants in Texas, see the following article from Environmental Defense.
http://environmentaldefense.org/article.cfm?contentID=5983
For some spectacular photos of off-shore wind farms check out:
Dark Roasted Blend's piece on wind-power-in-stormy-waters.
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