Wednesday, December 09, 2009
Scherer Plant, the worst power plant polluter in the U.S.
Estimates of the number of cars in the United States today vary from 140 million to 250 million. But in order for the U.S. to spew as much carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as it does from coal-burning power plants, the nation would have to run nearly 450 million automobiles on the roads today. This according to a new report from Environment America, a coalition of environmental groups seeking to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through greater reliance on alternative forms of energy.
In 2007, electricity produced from coal-fired plants resulted in 2.56 billion tons of CO2
being released into the air. This was due in large part to the “dirty” nature of coal, which generates more carbon than burning oil or natural gas. About 80% of all CO2 pollution from American power plants in 2007 stemmed from the use of coal.
According to the authors of America's Biggest Polluters: Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Power Plants in 2007, Georgia, Alabama, and Indiana are home to the dirtiest power plants. The Peach State also has the single worst polluter among coal-burning plants: The Robert W. Scherer Electric Generating Plant. Although it opened in 1982, the Scherer plant—which pumped out 27 million tons of CO2 in 2007—is by no means the oldest coal-fired operation. Others from the 1950s are still producing electricity, but without the same amount of waste.
-Noel Brinkerhoff
Executive Summary: America's Biggest Polluters: Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Power Plants in 2007 (Environment America)
America's Biggest Polluters: Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Power Plants in 2007 (Environment America) (pdf)
Plant Robert W. Scherer (Georgia Power) (pdf)
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