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Electricity Facts
Fossil Fuel Pollution In 2005 global atmospheric concentrations of CO2 were 35% higher than they were before the Industrial Revolution. For more information on CO2 trends in the atmosphere, visit http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/co2.html. Electricity Generation The process of generating electricity is the single largest source of CO2 emissions in the United States, representing 39 percent of all CO2 emissions. The electric power industry includes all power producers - both regulated utilities and other entities (e.g., independent power producers, cogenerators, etc.). Total national emissions in the U.S. depend upon the amount of electricity generated and the mix of fuels used to produce the electricity. For example, increases and decreases in the share of electricity generated by burning coal can affect total national emissions. Emissions from electricity generation can be reduced by increasing the share of electricity generated from low carbon fuel or renewable sources. EPA’s Clean Energy Programs are designed to help consumers improve their knowledge about Clean Energy options by providing objective information, creating networks between the public and private sector, and providing technical assistance. Their aim is to lower total electricity consumption by consumers through improvements in energy efficiency.
There are other sources of CO2 but they pale in comparison to CO2 produced by fossil fuels.
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Burning coal and natural gas is harmful to the environment. Both produce carbon dioxide (CO
