Comparing Q2 2019 to Q2 2018

The Carnegie Mellon Power Sector Carbon Index provides a comprehensive picture of the carbon intensity of electricity production in the during the previous 12 months and over an extended period to 2001. The CMU index also provides a summary of how much electricity generation is from coal, natural gas, nuclear, and renewables. According to the Carnegie Mellon Power Sector Carbon Index, U.S. power plant emissions averaged 813 lb CO₂ per MWh in the second quarter of 2019, which was down 9 percent from the same time frame in 2018.

Comparing performance in 2019 to 2005

The Power Sector Carbon Index for Q2 of 2019 was 38% lower than in the annual value in 2005, from 1,321 lb CO₂ per MWh to 813 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 599 to 369 g CO₂ per kWh). As of Q2 of 2019, the rolling annual average carbon intensity was 914 lb CO₂ per MWh (or 415 g CO₂ per kWh), which is 31% lower than the annual value in 2005. Total annual rolling CO₂ emissions were 1,725 million metric tonnes, which was 29% lower than in 2005.

Highlights of the 2019 Q2 results

• Total generation was down 4% in 2019 Q2 (984 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q2 (1022 million MWh).
• Coal generation was down 19% in 2019 Q2 (210 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q2 (260 million MWh). Coal represented 21% of total generation in 2019 Q2
• Natural Gas generation was up 3% in 2019 Q2 (355 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q2 (346 million MWh). Natural Gas represented 36% of total generation in 2019 Q2
• Hydro generation was down 5% in 2019 Q2 (81 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q2 (86 million MWh). Hydro represented 8% of total generation in 2019 Q2
• Wind generation was up 7% in 2019 Q2 (80 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q2 (75 million MWh). Wind represented 8% of total generation in 2019 Q2
• Solar generation was up 10% in 2019 Q2 (33 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q2 (30 million MWh). Solar represented 3% of total generation in 2019 Q2
• Nuclear generation was up 0% in 2019 Q2 (197 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q2 (196 million MWh). Nuclear represented 20% of total generation in 2019 Q2
• Other generation was down 2% in 2019 Q2 (9 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q2 (10 million MWh). Other represented 1% of total generation in 2019 Q2
• Other Renewables generation was down 5% in 2019 Q2 (18 million MWh) when compared to 2018 Q2 (19 million MWh). Other Renewables represented 2% of total generation in 2019 Q2