A new report shows that Entergy Corporation has the fifth lowest carbon dioxide emissions rate among the top 20 privately owned and investor owned power producers, while it is the nation’s seventh-largest producer of electricity. The company continues to help lead the way as the U.S. power sector achieves substantial reductions in pollution.
According to the report, Entergy ranks sixth in the production of zero-carbon emitting energy.
Entergy’s environmental and sustainability strategy remains a critical component for delivering clean energy solutions and long-term, sustainable value for our stakeholders. Last year, we renewed our commitment to a lower carbon future by pledging to emit 50% less carbon dioxide for every unit of electricity than we did in 2000.
“Entergy has been an industry leader in driving voluntary emissions reductions for nearly two decades,” said Mike Twomey, senior vice president of federal policy, regulatory and government affairs. “We are on track to meeting our 2030 climate commitment by transforming our generation portfolio to cleaner resources and investing in our utility-owned nuclear facilities. And we are uniquely positioned to partner with our customers on beneficial electrification opportunities, delivering sustainable, clean-energy solutions that benefit all our stakeholders.”
Benchmarking Air Emissions of the 100 Largest Electric Power Producers in the United States is an independent, third-party report that examines and compares key air pollutant emissions from the 100 largest U.S. power producers.
The report, based on 2018 data, found that renewables and other zero-carbon resources generated more than 35% of U.S. electricity, making it the second-leading source of power generation. Of the zero-carbon resources, nuclear made up 55%, renewables 26% and hydroelectric 19%. Non-hydroelectric renewable generation (wind, solar, geothermal, biomass) accounted for 9% of the sector’s electricity production.
For the third consecutive year, natural gas was the leading source of electricity generation in the U.S. (38%), followed by coal (23%). In 2006, coal accounted for 49% of power production and natural gas generated only 20%.
Other major findings:
Due to economic impacts of COVID-19, experts expect an even more dramatic reduction in 2020.
This year marks the 16th edition of the report since 1997. Authored by the independent advisory firm M. J. Bradley & Associates, the analysis is a collaboration between Ceres, Natural Resources Defense Council, and power producers like Entergy and Exelon. The report is based on publicly reported generation and emissions data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration and the Environmental Protection Agency.
