Reported emissions from the Electrical Equipment Production & Use The electrical equipment manufacturers and use sector emits sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) and perfluorocarbons (PFCs) from the manufacture, refurbishment, and use of electric transmission and distribution equipment. SF₆ and PFCs are used as electrical insulators and interrupters in electricity transmission and distribution equipment. The reported emissions from this sector decreased from 4.3 million metric tons ( MMT ) CO₂e in 2011 to 2.6 MMT CO₂e in 20182019, a decrease of 39 40 percent. The  decreasing emissions trend may be driven by electric utilities taking advantage of inexpensive emission reduction opportunities, such as replacing leaking circuit breakers.[1] EPA’s voluntary SF₆ Emission Reduction Partnership for Electric Power Systems has increased awareness of the magnitude and environmental impact of SF₆ emissions and of economically efficient best practices to reduce emissions.  The number of reporters in this sector also decreased during this period, from 127 in 2011 to 90 in 2018, which likely also contributed to the decrease in reported emissions. (see When is a facility eligible to stop reporting?)emissions have varied from a high of 4.3 MMT CO₂e in 2011 to a low of 2.5 MMT CO₂e in 2018.  However, the largest decreases in emissions occurred in 2012 and 2015 when emissions dropped by 21 percent and 24 percent, respectively. The 2019 emissions increased about 0.1 MMT CO₂e (4 percent) over those reported in 2018.

Most of the emissions for this sector come from the use of electric transmission and distribution equipment, rather than from equipment manufacturing and refurbishment. The CO₂e emissions from the use of electric transmission and distribution equipment account for over 90 percent of the total annual emissions for this sector. The emissions originate from fugitive equipment leaks; equipment installation, servicing, decommissioning and disposal; and storage cylinders. Although PFCs and other fluorinated F-GHGs may also be used, SF₆ is emitted in the highest volumes.

The decrease in emissions observed for this sector between 2011 and 2019 is likely driven by electric utilities replacing leaking equipment. [1]

[1]     [1]    Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-20162018. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. April 12, 2018, page 4-135. EPA 430-R-1820-003002. Available at: https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/ghgemissionsfiles/inventory2020-04/documents/us-ghg-greenhouseinventory-gas2020-emissions-and-sinks-1990-2016main-text.pdf.