Electric Power Industry CO2 Emissions and Generation Share by Fuel Type
In 1999, estimated emissions of CO2 in the United States resulting from the generation of electric power were
2,245 million metric tons, an increase of 1.4 percent from the 2,215 million metric tons in 1998. The estimated
generation of electricity from all sources increased by 2.0 percent, going from 3,617 billion kilowatthours to 3,691
billion kilowatthours. Electricity generation from coal-fired plants, the primary source of CO2 emissions from
electricity generation, was nearly the same in 1999 as in 1998. Much of the increase in electricity generation was
produced by gas-fired plants and nuclear plants. The 1999 national average output rate, 1.341 pounds of CO2
per kilowatthour generated, also showed a slight change from 1.350 pounds CO2 per kilowatthour in 1998.
