Power Sector Carbon Index Finds Emissions Down, With Renewables Up

Researchers at Carnegie Mellon University have found that U.S. power plant emissions averaged 1,035 lb CO2 per MWh in the third quarter of 2017, which was down five percent from the same time frame in 2016. Continuing the trend seen in Q2 2017 and the first three quarters of 2016, more electricity was generated from natural gas than from coal. Electricity generation from renewables was 10% higher in the third quarter of 2017 when compared to the third quarter of 2016.

These results are published though a quarterly report of the Carnegie Mellon Power Sector Carbon Index, which provides a comprehensive picture of the carbon intensity of electricity production in the U.S. during the previous 12 months and over an extended period to 2001. 

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