U.S. coal energy plant emissions in 2023 confirmed dramatic reductions in air pollution, owing primarily to coal plant closures. In line with the U.S. Environmental Safety Company (EPA), in comparison with 2022, sulfur dioxide emissions fell by 24%, nitrogen oxides (NOx) by 15%, carbon dioxide by 7%, and mercury by 17%.
Over time, coal vegetation have carried out management applied sciences that proceed to contribute to those reductions. Just about all coal-fired items even have electrostatic precipitators, baghouses, or different superior controls for top ranges of particulate elimination, the EPA notes.
Supply: Nationwide Electrical Power Knowledge System (NEEDS v621, [EPA, Aug. 7, 2023]), and Clear Air Markets Program Knowledge (CAMPD, [EPA, 2024]), EPA
—Sonal Patel is a POWER senior editor (@sonalcpatel, @POWERmagazine).