Electric Utilities Commit to Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 41 Million Metric Tons

The US Department of Energy, 38 investor-owned electric utilities, and the Tennessee Valley Authority have signed voluntary accords to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 41 million metric tons. This is the largest industry contribution to the President's goal of reducing emissions to 1990 levels by the year 2000. The agreements were signed under the framework of the Department's Climate Challenge program, a key initiative of the Administration's Climate Change program.

Key Takeaways:

• The utilities involved represent 35% of the nation's emissions of carbon in 1990 and will provide 44% of the emissions reductions necessary to meet the nation's goal.
• The accords signed today and last month with public utilities demonstrate action by about half the utility industry.
• Over 200 companies will plant trees to enhance "sinks" to sequester carbon, and nearly every participating company will improve the efficiency of their existing power plants and expand their energy efficiency and demand side management programs.
• Participating companies will utilize a wide array of measures to reduce emissions, including deploying electric vehicles, photovoltaic cells, and wind power to generate power.
• The utility industry's actions will reduce thousands of tons of local air pollutants, helping America's children breathe easier.

Statistics:

• 41 million metric tons: the amount of greenhouse gas emissions to be reduced by the participating utilities.
• 35%: the percentage of the nation's emissions of carbon represented by the utilities involved.
• 44%: the percentage of the emissions reductions necessary to meet the nation's goal that will be provided by the utilities.
• 42%: the percentage of utility carbon dioxide emissions generated by the participating companies.
• 40%: the percentage of the reductions needed from that sector that will be provided by the participating companies.

Sources:

• Department of the Interior. "Interior Acts to Promote Conservation" (June 2016)
• United States Department of Energy. "U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, Iowa State University President Steven Leath Announce Public-Private Partnership to Develop Biorefinery Training" (2016)
• U.S. Department of Energy. "U.S. Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz, Iowa State University President Steven Leath Announce Public-Private Partnership to Develop Biorefinery Training" (2016)