Taking an Abundant Resource to Uncommon Grounds
Texas has a rich energy past, and it is proving to be a leader in the quest for alternative energy. The Lone Star State also is leading the way in its use of our nation’s most plentiful resource: coal.
Emissions data indicates that the Texas fleet of coal units (36 in all) is far cleaner that the national average. In fact, data shows that the Texas coal fleet is cleaner than almost every other state.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) measures pollutants such as nitrogen oxides (NOx) in terms of pounds produced per million BTU of energy (Lb/MMBtu). According to the latest EPA data, the Texas coal fleet has a NOx emission rate (.16 Lb/MMBtu) that is half the national average. In addition, a new fleet of coal units that are being built in Texas will have an average emission rate of 0.06, meaning the state’s coal fleet is getting even cleaner.
Part of this success is due to Texas’ history of using carbon capture and sequestration. Texas has been injecting carbon dioxide safely below ground for decades as part of enhanced oil recovery. And because of Texas’ enhanced oil recovery resource, the state could be an incubator for advanced coal technology with little carbon emissions.
Texas has always been an energy leader for the US, and it continues this rich tradition through growing and enhancing the responsible use of clean coal technology.
