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 Electricity and the |
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Power ScorecardTM
sponsored by: Environmental Defense The Izaak Walton League Natural Resources Defense Council The NW Energy Coalition Pace University Energy and Climate Center The Union of Concerned Scientists Also endorsed by: American Rivers |
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| Electricity and the Environment | |
The generation of electric power produces more pollution than any other single industry in the United States. Recent (2002) data shows the U.S. electricity industry was responsible for:[1]
Among the other major environmental
issues linked to electricity are water impacts, generation of
wastes, and the disruption of land uses.
Electricity is also playing
an increasingly important role in our personal lives and in the economy
that feeds us. Electricity powered computer and communication systems
are more and more important parts our lives and our economy. Because we
are demanding more electricity service we must avoid increasing the damage
to our environment by using electricity efficiently and by obtaining electricity
from the cleanest sources available.
How do we meet the energy needs
of these people as they lift themselves from poverty while addressing
pressing environmental impacts linked to their inevitable increase in
power consumption? Find out how consumer choice
offers ways to obtain cleaner electricity supplies
Also, click below for additional information on the various generating technologies (coal, natural gas, wind, etc.) that produce electric power and on the specific environmental issues (global warming, acid rain, toxic mercury emissions, water quality, and others) used by the Power Scorecard to rate electricity products.
[1] Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the United States -2002. CERES, NRDC, & PSEG. April 2004.
(See http://www.nrdc.org/air/pollution/benchmarking/2002/benchmark2002_pt1.pdf)
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©2000
Pace University, White Plains, New York Design ©2000 Baseline Institute, Lafayette, Colorado |
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