After years of decline, CO2 emissions on the rise

June 3, 2013 | By Barbara Vergetis Lundin

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) emissions from coal-fired power plants have jumped in 2013, after a decline of 13.1 percent between 2005 and 2012. This is due in large part to greater reliance on natural gas, rapid development of wind energy, moderate demand, and the closure of aging coal plants, according to data from the U.S Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

The first quarter of 2013 has seen a substantial increase in CO₂ emissions from coal -- a 7.1 percent increase in the first three months compared to the same time last year. These emissions are projected to continue to increase, as rising natural gas prices encourage the use of more coal. The latest projections from the EIA indicate that coal-based generation will increase 8.7 percent over 2012, although levels are not expected to return to their peak of five to 10 years ago.

In 2012, the worst offender of CO₂ emissions was Texas (emitting the most emissions at 251 million tons -- virtually the same as in 2005). Next in line was Florida followed by Pennsylvania, Indiana and Ohio. Last year, these five states collectively accounted for nearly one-third of total CO₂ emissions.

"Although power companies plan to retire 45 gigawatts of coal capacity through 2016 due to low natural gas prices, the increased availability of renewables, moderate demand, and the cost of complying with long delayed Clean Air Act rules, a change in just one of those factors can encourage plant operators to squeeze more generation out of remaining coal plants," said Eric Schaeffer, Environmental Integrity Project director.

The EIA predicts natural gas prices will increase 34 percent over 2012 while coal prices remain flat.

"Natural gas releases about half as much carbon dioxide as coal when burned for electricity, but its price can swing widely and that volatility encourages companies to hang on to dirty and inefficient coal plants," Schaeffer said. "It is time for states who have been slow to embrace energy efficiency or no-carbon renewables like wind and solar to step up if we want to decrease global warming emissions in the long term."

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http://www.fierceenergy.com/story/after-years-decline-co2-emissions-rise/2013-06-03