Getting Warmer: US CO2 Emissions from Power Plant Emissions Rise 5.6% in 2010

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.environmentalintegrity.org/02_18_2011.php

AS CONGRESS DEBATES EPA REGULATION, NEW REPORT SHOWS BIGGEST ONE-YEAR INCREASE IN C02 POLLUTION FROM U.S. POWER PLANTS IN 2010

10 Worst States for CO₂ Pollution Are TX, FL, OH, IN, PA, IL, KY, GA, AL and MO.
Half of New Coal-Fired Power Generation in the U.S. in 2010 Came Online in Texas.

WASHINGTON, D.C. - February 18, 2011 - Even as a fierce debate rages in Congress today about whether or not to handcuff the ability of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to deal with coal-fired power plant pollution, a new report from the Environmental Integrity Project shows that carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from power plants in the U.S. rose 5.56 percent in 2010 over the year before, the biggest annual increase since the EPA began tracking emissions in 1995. The report is based on data from the EPA’s “Clean Air Markets” website, which tallies emission reports from electric generators.

Texas power plants led the pack in 2010, with nearly 257 million ton of CO₂ emissions, as much as the next two states combined (Florida and Ohio), and more than seven times the total CO₂ emissions from power plants in California. Despite a favorable climate for wind energy and falling natural gas prices, Texas opened three new coal plants toward the end of 2010, with a combined capacity of 2,156 megawatts. The 10 worst states for CO₂ pollution identified in the report are Texas, Florida, Ohio, Indiana, Pennsylvania, Illinois, Kentucky, Georgia, Alabama, and Missouri.

Commenting on the report, EIP Director Eric Schaeffer said: “The industry’s allies on Capitol Hill are working hard to turn back the clock by repealing environmental standards for coal plants that are already many years overdue. Congress may weaken or even eliminate EPA’s ability to stop coal plant pollution, and block further study of climate change. But even the most powerful legislature in the world is subject to the laws of science, and global warming will not disappear because our politicians choose to pretend that it does not exist. “

Electricity generators released 2.423 billion tons of carbon dioxide in 2010, compared to 2.295 billion tons in 2009, according to information available on EPA’s “Clean Air Markets” database. Power plant emissions are still below the high water mark of 2.565 million tons set in 2007. Last year’s rise was driven in part by a 4 percent net increase in overall generation for the 12 months ending in November of 2010, due to the economic recovery and unusually warm weather in some parts of the country.

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[joshcryer]

1. Even with all that wind?

Unsurprising.

[wtmusic]

2. K&R

I'm amazed CA didn't make the top ten

[GliderGuider]

3. Ecocidal sons of bitches...

:banghead: