Report: Some power-plant emissions have declined, but CO2 is on the rise

April 7 -- Sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions from power plants have fallen significantly in recent years while carbon dioxide emissions have increased, according to an annual report on the nation´s largest electricity generators.

Between 1990 and 2004, power plant emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides fell 44 percent and 36 percent, respectively, according to the report jointly published by environmental investor group Ceres, the Natural Resources Defense Council and energy company Public Service Enterprise Group Inc.

During the same time, carbon dioxide emissions from power plants increased 27 percent, according to the report.

The report focused on the 100 largest power companies, which generate 88 percent of the nation´s electricity.

The report also concluded that carbon emissions will spike in the coming years as new coal plants come on line. U.S. power companies are proposing to build more than 130 new coal-fired power plants, according to the report. The Energy Information Administration projects a 43 percent increase in carbon dioxide emissions from coal-based power production by 2030. That projection assumes no carbon dioxide pollution controls installed at the plants.

The report, "Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the United States in 2004," can be found at www.nrdc.org.