April 7 -- Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide
emissions from power plants have fallen significantly in recent years
while carbon dioxide emissions have increased, according to an annual
report on the nationīs largest electricity generators.
Between 1990 and 2004, power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide and
nitrogen oxides fell 44 percent and 36 percent, respectively, according
to the report jointly published by environmental investor group Ceres,
the Natural Resources Defense Council and energy company Public Service
Enterprise Group Inc.
During the same time, carbon dioxide emissions from power plants
increased 27 percent, according to the report.
The report focused on the 100 largest power companies, which generate
88 percent of the nationīs electricity.
The report also concluded that carbon emissions will spike in the
coming years as new coal plants come on line. U.S. power companies are
proposing to build more than 130 new coal-fired power plants, according
to the report. The Energy Information Administration projects a 43
percent increase in carbon dioxide emissions from coal-based power
production by 2030. That projection assumes no carbon dioxide pollution
controls installed at the plants.
The report, "Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric
Power Producers in the United States in 2004," can be found at
www.nrdc.org.