NEW DATA: Large share of U.S. climate pollution comes from handful of coal and gas plants

America’s most polluting facilities emit more greenhouse gasses than some entire states

DENVER – The nine most polluting U.S. power plants released nearly 126 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emission in 2022, more than 33 individual states released in 2021. That’s according to a new analysis released on Tuesday by Frontier Group, Environment America Research and Policy Center and U.S. PIRG Education Fund.

The analysis finds that the top 50 polluting U.S facilities released a combined 472 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, more than any single state but Texas. Out of the top 50 polluters, 45 were power plants that burn coal or methane gas.

Newly finalized rules from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), along with industry plans to retire some of the most polluting coal plants, could result in significant decreases in greenhouse gas emissions in the coming years.

“It’s 2024. We no longer have to choose between keeping the lights on and protecting the environment. We have the technology to power our lives without trading away our health and a stable climate,” said Lisa Frank, executive director of Environment America Research and Policy Center. “Despite that, a small number of big polluters are still treating the air we all breathe like their sewer. It’s time for these power plants to clean up their act.” 

Five of the top 50 polluters are industrial facilities, like the ExxonMobil refinery and chemical plant complex in Baytown, Texas. It produced 12.6 million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions in 2022, sixth-most in the nation, and equal to the annual emissions produced by 3 million cars. It’s also a major source of health-threatening air pollution.

“Exxon’s Baytown complex is already one of the dirtiest factories in America, but Texas regulators just signed off on allowing even more harmful emissions from the oil giant,” said Luke Metzger, executive director of Environment Texas Research and Policy Center. “We need the EPA to put a stop to Exxon’s reckless pollution.”

Coal-fired electricity, which emits copious amounts of carbon pollution, is on the decline and the U.S. share of electricity generated by renewable energy sources surpassed that of coal in 2022. Seven of the top 50 polluting power plants have planned retirement dates between 2024 and 2038. 

“Climate change is a big problem, but our analysis shows that by targeting a relatively small number of facilities the nation can achieve major pollution reductions,” said Elizabeth Ridlington, senior policy analyst with Frontier Group. “”The sooner these plants are powered down the better for our health and the planet. Clean energy such as wind, solar and geothermal can meet all our electricity needs.”

The EPA rules finalized in April will further limit pollution from fossil fuel-fired power plants. For example, one rule requires existing coal-fired power plants to control 90 percent of their carbon pollution by 2039. However, the new rules do not cover existing natural gas power plants, currently the largest source of carbon pollution in the electricity sector.