Though electricity itself is not a source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, the combustion of fuels used to generate electricity – such as coal, natural gas, and oil – results in substantial GHG emissions. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), electricity was the largest source of U.S. GHG emissions in 2011, accounting for approximately 33% of the U.S. total.1 Locally, residential electricity usage accounts for 20% of greenhouse gases. In
2012, approximately 68% of the United States’ electricity was
generated from fossil fuels, including 37% from coal, according to
the Energy Information Administration. Natural gas accounted for 30%
of our electricity generation, 19% for nuclear, and 7% for
hydropower.
In 2011, the average household in the United States used about
11,280 kWh per year. The average house in the Swarthmore area used
about 11,000 kWh.
In Delaware County, 43% of our electricity comes from nuclear sources, followed by 35% from coal, and 17% from natural gas (Alternative Fuels Data Center). According to the Swarthmore Area Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the four municipalities of Nether Providence Township, Rose Valley Borough, Rutledge Borough, and Swarthmore Borough in 2006 were gasoline (35%) and electricity (30%).2 Residences accounted for 38% of total GHG emissions in the four communities that year.3 Within the residential sector, electricity accounted for 52% of emissions. That means that 20% of greenhouse gas emissions came from electricity usage in our homes.
The biggest household users of electricity are air conditioning, lighting, refrigerators, and furnace fans.
Swarthmore Area Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Action Plan Project: Volume 1
Swarthmore Area Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Action Plan Project: Volume 2
1 http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/sources/electricity.html
2 Center for Sustainable Communities at Temple University, Swarthmore Area Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Action Plan Project, Volume I: Greenhouse Gas Inventory (Base Year 2006), v.
3 Ibid., 39.
In Delaware County, 43% of our electricity comes from nuclear sources, followed by 35% from coal, and 17% from natural gas (Alternative Fuels Data Center). According to the Swarthmore Area Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory, the largest sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the four municipalities of Nether Providence Township, Rose Valley Borough, Rutledge Borough, and Swarthmore Borough in 2006 were gasoline (35%) and electricity (30%).2 Residences accounted for 38% of total GHG emissions in the four communities that year.3 Within the residential sector, electricity accounted for 52% of emissions. That means that 20% of greenhouse gas emissions came from electricity usage in our homes.
The biggest household users of electricity are air conditioning, lighting, refrigerators, and furnace fans.
Swarthmore Area Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Action Plan Project: Volume 1
Swarthmore Area Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Action Plan Project: Volume 2
1 http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/ghgemissions/sources/electricity.html
2 Center for Sustainable Communities at Temple University, Swarthmore Area Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Action Plan Project, Volume I: Greenhouse Gas Inventory (Base Year 2006), v.
3 Ibid., 39.
