How much of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions are associated with electricity generation?
EIA publishes estimates of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by the U.S. electric power industry and by the U.S. electric power sector. CO2 emissions by the electric power industry include emissions associated with total U.S. electricity generation including direct use of electricity and of useful thermal output. The electric power industry includes the electric power sector. The electric power sector emissions account for CO2 emissions associated with retail electricity sales to the residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors.
In 2022, the U.S. electric power industry accounted for about 33% of total U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions, while the electric power sector accounted for about 31%.
| Source | Million metric tons | Share of total |
|---|---|---|
| Coal | 868 | 53% |
| Natural gas | 743 | 45% |
| Petroleum | 25 | 2% |
| Other | 15 | 1% |
| Total | 1,650 | |
| Data source: United States Electricity Profile, Table 7: Emissions, November 2023. Note: Other includes CO2 emissions from the combustion of non-biomass waste materials and by some types of geothermal power plants. | ||
| Source | Million metric tons | Share of total |
|---|---|---|
| Coal | 851 | 55% |
| Natural gas | 659 | 43% |
| Petroleum | 21 | 1% |
| Other | 11 | <1% |
| Total | 1,542 | |
| Data source: Monthly Energy Review, Environment, Table 11.6: Electric power sector, November 2023 Note: Electric power sector includes electricity-only and combined-heat-and-power plants whose primary business is to sell electricity, or electricity and heat, to the public. Other includes CO2 emissions from the combustion of non-biomass waste materials and by some types of geothermal power plants. | ||
Learn more:
What are U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions by source and sector?
Carbon dioxide emissions fell slightly in 2022 due to a reduction in the carbon intensity of electric power sources
Today in Energy articles on CO2 emissions
How do I convert between short tons and metric tons?
Monthly Energy Review, Environment
U.S. CO2 emissions from energy consumption by source and sector (diagram)
U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions
State-level carbon dioxide emissions data
Energy Explained: Where greenhouse gases come from
Last updated: November 30, 2023, with data available at the time of update.