KansasÂ’ reliance on coal for power shows in emissions
Because most scientists link CO2 to global warming, such a heavy reliance on coal worries environmentalists. Two Lawrence environmentalists are suing the Kansas Department of Health and Environment to force it to regulate CO2 emissions.
Global warming is an issue both as a western Kansas utility pursues plans to build new coal-fired plants and as Gov. Kathleen Sebelius works with utilities to develop more wind energy.
Concerned about meeting future demands for power, most legislators still see new coal-fired plants as a significant portion of any future mix. TheyÂ’ve concentrated on providing incentives for companies to capture and store carbon dioxide and develop other electric sources, including nuclear power.
“Folks are probably not willing to go back to the days of the pioneers and have conveniences only periodically,” said Sen. Jay Emler, a Lindsborg attorney who’s chairman of the Senate Utilities Committee.
The Associated Press analyzed federal CO2 emissions data for states and the District of Columbia for 2003, the latest figures available. They showed Kansas with emissions of nearly 80 million metric tons, or more than 29 metric tons per person, ranking it 13th in the nation.
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Data Show Clean Power Increasing, Fossil Fuel Decreasing in California
SACRAMENTO - Data from the California Energy Commission (CEC) highlight California’s continued progress toward building a more resilient grid, achieving 100 percent clean electricity and meeting the state’s carbon neutrality goals.
Analysis of the state’s Total System Electric Generation report shows how California’s power mix has changed over the last decade. Since 2012:
Solar generation increased nearly twentyfold from 2,609 gigawatt-hours (GWh) to 48,950 GWh.
- Wind generation grew by 63 percent.
- Natural gas generation decreased 20 percent.
- Coal has been nearly phased-out of the power mix.
In addition to total utility generation, rooftop solar increased by 10 times generating 24,309 GWh of clean power in 2022.…
