Carbon Dioxide Emissions from the Generation of Electric Power in the United States 1998
October 15, 1999
Introduction
The President issued a directive on April 15, 1999, requiring an annual report summarizing carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions produced by electricity generation in the United States, including both utilities and nonutilities. In response, this report is jointly submitted by the U.S. Department of Energy and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The data on CO2 emissions and generation of electricity were collected and prepared by the Energy Information Administration. This report is structured to address the five areas outlined in the Presidential Directive.
- The emissions of CO2 are presented both on the basis of total mass (tons) and output rate (pounds per kilowatthour). The information is stratified by the type of fuel used for electricity generation and presented on the regional and national levels. The percentage of generation produced by each fuel type or energy resource is indicated.
- The CO2 emissions and generation by fuel type for 1998 are compared to the previous year, 1997. Factors contributing to regional and national level changes in the amount and average output rate of CO2 are identified and discussed.
- The Energy Information Administration’s most recent projections of CO2 emissions and generation by fuel type for 1998 are compared to the actual data summarized in this report to identify deviations between projected and actual CO2 emissions and generation.
- Information on voluntary carbon-reducing and carbon-sequestration projects reported by the electric power sector and the amount of CO2 reductions are presented. Included are programs undertaken by the utilities themselves as well as programs supported by the Federal government to support voluntary CO2 reductions.
- Appropriate updates to the Department of Energy’s estimated environmental effects of the Administration’s proposed restructuring legislation are included.