What are the greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions factors for fuels and electricity?
The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) publishes emission factors (or coefficients) for the amounts of certain gases that are released when fuels are burned and for when electricity is generated. EIA publishes factors for carbon dioxide (CO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen oxides (NOx). CO2 is a greenhouse gas. SO2 and NOx are not greenhouse gases, but they are criteria pollutants regulated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).
Factors for the combustion of fossil fuels:
- CO2 for common fuels
- CO2 for fuels used for electricity generation (XLS)
Factors for electricity generation:
- CO2, SO2, and NOx for electricity generated in each state for a specific year, in pounds per megawatthour, in Table 1 of individual State Electricity Profiles and averages for the United States
EPA is a source for emission factors for greenhouse gases and other emissions factors.
Learn more:
How much carbon dioxide is produced per kilowatthour when generating electricity with fossil fuels?
Last updated: February 28, 2018
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