North Carolina Ranks High in Coal Plants, Global Warming Pollution

Chapel Hill, NC – North Carolina’s large number of coal-fired power plants produce a disproportionately high level of global warming pollution according to a recently released report. North Carolina produces nearly the same amount of carbon dioxide as California, despite having a population only one-fourth the size, according to Carbon Monitoring for Action (CARMA), a new international database that identifies carbon dioxide (“CO2”) sources worldwide. North Carolina’s disproportionate share of CO2 emissions is chiefly due to the state’s large number of coal fired power plants - major emitters of CO2, which contributes to global warming. North Carolina based Duke Energy is now proposing to build another large, coal-fired unit in the state which will add to North Carolina’s total carbon dioxide emissions.

“This report reminds us that coal-fired power plants and global warming go hand in hand. But it also shows that energy needs of a large and growing state can be met without relying on dirty coal. These are lessons that North Carolina should take to heart, especially before it approves a new coal-fired unit that would only make the problem worse,” said Gudrun Thompson, the SELC attorney leading the opposition to construction of new conventional coal plants in the Carolinas.

The CARMA database also revealed that North Carolina-based Duke Energy is the nation’s third largest producer of CO2, despite public calls by CEO Jim Rogers for federal legislation to reduce emissions of the greenhouse gas. Duke Energy is planning an 800 megawatt power plant expansion at its Cliffside plant west of Charlotte that would emit 6.25 million tons of CO2 each year.

Over 77 million tons of CO2 are emitted in North Carolina each year, ranking the state 14th in the nation above its neighbors Tennessee (17th) South Carolina (21st), and Virginia (22nd). In fact, if North Carolina were a country it would rank as the 21st highest emitter of CO2 in the world. California produces 79 million tons of CO2.

Experts believe the contrast is due to the high number of coal-fired power plants in North Carolina compared to California, which relies on natural gas, hydroelectric, nuclear and renewable energy to meet its power needs. Conversely, sixty percent of North Carolina’s power comes from coal.

The CARMA data also show that with annual CO2 emissions of 108 million tons, Duke Energy is one of the “dirty dozen”-- the 12 largest producers of CO2 in the world. Duke operates eight plants in North Carolina producing nearly 41 million tons of CO2. In recent months, Duke Energy leadership has acknowledged the problem of greenhouse gas emissions while at the same time pushing for an expansion at its Cliffside power plant in the company’s home state. The proposed new unit at Cliffside will not have any carbon dioxide controls.

The rising sea levels, increased climate impacts, and other effects of global warming are projected to have a devastating impact on North Carolina’s environment and its economy, including a nearly $4 billion loss to the state’s recreational and tourism industries and nearly $7 million in lost property values according to researchers from several North Carolina universities.

The CARMA database was compiled by the Center for Global Development, an independent policy and research organization. The database identifies the world’s largest CO2 emitters and reveals how much of the greenhouse gas they emit. The CARMA data is displayed online at: www.CARMA.org