Reported emissions from the power plants sector decreased significantly from 2011 to 20192020, from 2,222 million metric tons (MMT) CO2e in 2011 to 1,669 495 MMT CO2e in 20192020, a decrease of 2432.9%7%. Reported emissions for 2019 2020 declined by 810.1% 4% from 2018.2019. This decrease in emissions resulted from both decreased demand for electrical generation in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and longer-term trends related to the composition of fuels used in electricity generation.
From 2011 through 2020Over the time period of 2011 through 2019, national net generation of electricity remained fairly consistent with an increase of under one half of a percenta decrease of 2%, including a 2.9% reduction between 2019 and 2020. [1] However, GHG emissions per unit of electricity generation decreased from 541.9 to 405372.2 9 MT CO2e per thousand megawatt-hours, a 25% 31% drop. Several factors contributed to this reduction in emissions per unit of electricity generated, including the increased use of renewable energy sources and more electric power generation from natural gas combustion. [2] In 2011, 42.3% of U.S. electricity was generated from coal and 24.7% from natural gas; but by 20192020, 2319.5% 3% of electricity generation was derived from coal and 3840.4% 3% from natural gas. Over the same timeframe, electricity generation derived from renewable sources including hydroelectric and solar increased from 12.5% to 19.8%.[1] Electricity generated from renewable energy results in no greenhouse gas emissions from power plants; and generation from natural gas, particularly in more efficient combined-cycle generators, produces lower greenhouse gas emissions per unit of electricity generated than generation from coal. [3]
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[1] U.S. Energy Information Administration, Electric Power Monthly Table 1.1. Net Generation by Energy Source: Total (All Sectors), 20102011- July 2020 June 2021 (accessed October 8September 17, 20202021) at: https://www.eia.gov/electricity/monthly/epm_table_grapher.php?t=epmt_1_01
[2] Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-20182019. U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. April 13, 20202021. EPA 430-R-2021-002005. Available at: https://www.epa.gov/ghgemissions/inventory-us-greenhouse-gas-emissions-and-sinks-1990-20182019
[3] U.S. Department of Energy, Environment Baseline, Volume 1: Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the U.S. Power Sector. Available at: https://energy.gov/sites/prod/files/2017/01/f34/Environment Baseline Vol. 1--Greenhouse Gas Emissions from the U.S. Power Sector.pdf
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