article thumbnail

Study finds methane emissions from coal mines ~50% higher than previously thought

Green Car Congress

The amount of methane released into the atmosphere as a result of coal mining is likely approximately 50% higher than previously estimated, according to research presented at the recent annual meeting of the American Geophysical Union. The authors point out that less coal production doesn’t translate to less methane.

Coal 321
article thumbnail

EIA: US electricity generation from coal and natural gas both increased with summer heat

Green Car Congress

In August 2012, coal produced 39% of US electricity, up from a low of 32% in April 2012, when the natural gas share of generation equaled that of coal. The August coal share of generation is still notably lower than the 50% annual average over the 1990-2010 period. Data for 2011 and 2012 are preliminary.

Coal 236
article thumbnail

EIA: Monthly coal- and natural gas-fired generation in US equal for first time in April 2012

Green Car Congress

Preliminary electric power data show that, for the first time since the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) began collecting the data, electricity generation from natural gas-fired plants is virtually equal to generation from coal-fired plants, with each fuel providing 32% of total generation. million megawatt-hours.

Coal 262
article thumbnail

Dominion Energy sets new goal of net zero emissions by 2050 for both power generation, natural gas operations

Green Car Congress

Dominion Energy announced a significant expansion of the company's greenhouse gas emissions-reduction goals, establishing a new commitment to achieve net zero emissions by 2050. The goal covers carbon dioxide and methane emissions, the dominant greenhouse gases, from both electricity generation and gas infrastructure operations.

Emissions 207
article thumbnail

EIA: world energy consumption to grow 56% 2010-2040, CO2 up 46%; use of liquid fuels in transportation up 38%

Green Car Congress

World energy consumption by fuel type, 2010-2040. The US Energy Information Administration’s (EIA’s) International Energy Outlook 2013 (IEO2013) projects that world energy consumption will grow by 56% between 2010 and 2040, from 524 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) to 820 quadrillion Btu. Source: IEO2013.

2010 317
article thumbnail

NOAA greenhouse gas index continues climbing; 1.29 in 2010

Green Car Congress

NOAA’s updated Annual Greenhouse Gas Index (AGGI), which measures the direct climate influence of many greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane, shows a continued steady upward trend. in 2010—i.e., Started in 2004, the AGGI reached 1.29 This is slightly higher than the 2009 AGGI, which was 1.27—i.e., —i.e.,

2010 199
article thumbnail

EIA: US energy-related CO2 emissions in 2012 lowest since 1994; reflects drop in coal use

Green Car Congress

With the exception of 2010, emissions have declined every year since 2007. The largest drop in emissions in 2012 came from coal, which is used almost exclusively for electricity generation. Even a modest jump in gas prices could erase this advantage. US energy-related CO 2 emissions in 2012 were the lowest since 1994, at 5.3

Coal 265