Electricity
The electricity sector accounts for about 33 percent of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States, and 40 percent of the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Over 80 percent of GHG emissions associated with electricity generation are from the combustion of coal, with nearly all the rest due to natural gas and petroleum combustion. U.S. electricity sales are split among the residential (37 percent), commercial (36 percent), and industrial (27 percent) sectors, where primary uses vary by sector.
Over the past 30 years the U.S. electricity sector has become less carbon intensive, and the U.S. economy has grown less electricity-intensive.
Mitigating GHG emissions from the electricity sector will take a comprehensive approach, including low- and zero-carbon electricity generation technologies, such as renewable energy, carbon capture and storage, and nuclear power, as well as energy efficiency and conservation. Several types of policies can be employed to promote these mitigation techniques, including emissions pricing (e.g. cap and trade), electricity portfolio standards, emission performance standards, financial incentives for clean energy deployment and energy efficiency, and research and development to support innovative technologies.
Our work at C2ES covers all types of electricity-related topics, including policy and regulation, low-carbon technology status and outlook, and technology innovation. We track and inform policymaking at the state, federal, and regional levels, collaborate on research for papers and briefs, blog about current energy issues, and educate policymakers and others with up-to-date online resources about important low-carbon technologies.
Tracking policy - We track policy progress at the state, federal, and international level. Our state maps provide information about which states have implemented policies that promote low-carbon electricity technologies and energy efficiency. We also track and analyze policy at the national level, including what is happening in Congress and the Executive Branch.
Research - We produce research, including reports, white papers, and briefs, on climate and clean energy issues. Our 2005 report titled The U.S. Electric Power Sector and Climate Change Mitigation is a comprehensive look at reducing greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector.
Climate Compass Blog - Our blog includes posts about current issues related to electricity, and you can view relevant posts here.
Climate Techbook - The electricity section of the Climate Techbook provides an overview of the electricity sector as well as briefs describing technologies related to electricity generation and energy efficiency. Below is a list of the Techbook factsheets that pertain to electricity.
Recommended Resources
International Energy Agency (IEA)
U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)
U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI)
Environmental Defense Fund (EDF)
Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC)
Resources for the Future (RFF)
World Resources Institute (WRI)
Related Business Environmental Leadership Council (BELC) Companies
| Air Products | GE |
| Alcoa | HP |
| Alstom | Johnson Controls |
| BP | PG&E Corporation |
| Cummins | PNM Resources |
| DTE Energy | Rio Tinto |
| Duke Energy | Shell |
| Entergy | TransAlta |
| Exelon | |
Environmental Defense Fund Energy Program
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