Coal-Fired Energy Generation Increased
The 20th annual EPA report on greenhouse gas emissions arrived this morning. It shows that total U. S. emissions increased by 2% from 2012 to 2013. The increase was due to greater energy production, mainly from burning coal.
Pile of coal beside power plant in Thompson, Texas.
Total U.S. greenhouse emissions were 6,673 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in 2013. By sector, power plants were the largest source of emissions, accounting for 31 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas pollution. The transportation sector was the second largest source, at 27 percent. Industry and manufacturing were the third largest source, at 21 percent. The increase in total national greenhouse gas emissions between 2012 and 2013 was due to increased energy consumption across all sectors in the U.S. economy and greater use of coal for electricity generation.
According to the EPA, our emissions are responsible for dangerous climate change that threatens the health and well-being of Americans and of future generations. This occurs as air quality decreases, heat and weather events become more extreme, and disease incidence increases.
Here are links you can use to get the details: The U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory Report, EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Inventory Data Explorer.