Power plants that generate electricity by burning fossil fuels are the second largest source of air pollution in the United States producing approximately 25 percent of total emissions. Coal fired power plants are the worst offenders releasing sulfur dioxide nitrogen oxides mercury particulate matter and massive amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Although the number of coal plants has declined significantly in recent years over 200 coal fired facilities still operate across the country emitting millions of tons of pollutants. Natural gas power plants produce less pollution per unit of energy than coal but still release significant amounts of nitrogen oxides carbon dioxide and methane during operation.
The electricity sector has made significant progress in reducing emissions as renewable energy has grown and coal consumption has declined over the past decade. Wind solar and hydropower now provide approximately 21 percent of US electricity reducing the pollution that would otherwise come from fossil fuel generation. However fossil fuels still provide approximately 60 percent of American electricity meaning power plant pollution remains a major environmental and health concern nationwide. The Biden administration’s goal of achieving 100 percent clean electricity by 2035 would virtually eliminate power plant air pollution if achieved through renewable energy deployment.