Producing Cleaner Energy
Thanks to over $90 billion invested in advanced technologies, the environmental footprint of coal-based generation has been significantly reduced.
Since 1970, emissions of sulfur dioxide have been reduced overall by 37%, nitrogen oxides by 12.9%, and particulate matter by 88.5% even as the use of coal to generate electricity to meet growing energy demand nearly tripled.[1]
Continued development of clean energy technology will only enhance our ability to harness emissions. The next frontier of research and development stands to lower even further the footprint of coal-generated electricity.
[1] Based on U.S. EPA figures on five criteria pollutants (carbon monoxide, volatile organic compounds, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxide and particulate matter) per billion kilowatt-hours. From 1970 to 2005, the emissions per unit of electricity generated fell by 77.15%.
U.S.EPA, Air Trends, Basic Information
Nitrogen Oxide
*2005
Particulate Matter
*2005
Sulfer Dioxide
*2005
* To view 2005 emissions data, follow the link to the 2005 National Emissions Inventory Data & Documentation Web site and download the tier summaries. Warning: large file.
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