Electric emissions growth outpaces generation in 2007

The EIA just released data on 2007 that shows total electricity generation increased by 2.5 percent in 2007, but total CO2 emissions from the electric sector increased by 3 percent. That's right: the electricity sector, already the single largest contributor to U.S. CO2 emissions, is increasing its CO2 intensity.

Intriguingly, this increase has come about despite a 25 billion kWh increase in wind and nuclear generation in 2007, as the gains from those zero-carbon sources were offset by a 40 billion kWh decrease in production from hydro-electric facilities.

The EIA just released data on 2007 that shows total electricity generation increased by 2.5 percent in 2007, but total CO2 emissions from the electric sector increased by 3 percent. That’s right: the electricity sector, already the single largest contributor to U.S. CO2 emissions, is increasing its CO2 intensity.

Intriguingly, this increase has come about despite a 25 billion kWh increase in wind and nuclear generation in 2007, as the gains from those zero-carbon sources were offset by a 40 billion kWh decrease in production from hydro-electric facilities.

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