Biggest GHG emitters in the US listed

The largest single emitters of greenhouse gases in the United States are two coal-fired power plants in Georgia, followed by another in Alabama, all with emissions exceeding 20 million tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalents in 2010, according to recently published data from the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The three plants are all owned by subsidiaries of the Southern Company.

Industries with emissions greater than 25,000 tonnes a year have to report their emissions to the EPA, and in total more than 6700 facilities have reported. Power plants were responsible for 72 per cent of the greenhouse gases reported. Of the greenhouse gas emissions, carbon dioxide accounted for 95 per cent, followed by methane at four per cent. Plant-specific emissions are to be found in a database at the EPA website.

Sources: US EPA, 11 January 2012