How clean is the electricity you use?
13 Feb 10 | Environment
The US EPA has a web site, Energy and You, to help you find out. For the basic information and statistics, you simply need to know your zip code. This will show a break down of how much SO2, Nox and CO2 is produced per mWh (1,000 kWh) for electricity used in your area. If you would like specific information about a home or business, then the annual electric usage in kWh for that structure is needed.
The breakdown of fuel types also gives a good idea of waste products. Coal is the dirtiest fuel, not only in terms of emissions but in terms of byproducts after combustion. Fly ash from coal burning power plants is ever present and represents a real disposal issue for the power plant operator. Of course, nuclear, in it’s current configuration, generates hazardous materials that need to be stored for 10,000 years. This, by the way, can be changed with a different type of reactor.
Oil and natural gas have the fewest byproducts, and of course, hydro is renewable.
All in all, a good source of information, goes along with the theme of the last few posts.
Tags: clea, Environment

