Implications of the Recent Reductions in Natural Gas Prices for Emissions of \(CO_2\) from the US Power Sector
![Thumbnail](/bitstream/handle/1/10029444/Lu_ImplicationsRecent.pdf.jpg?sequence=5&isAllowed=y)
Access Status
Full text of the requested work is not available in DASH at this time ("restricted access"). For more information on restricted deposits, see our FAQ.Published Version
https://doi.org/10.1021/es203750kMetadata
Show full item recordCitation
Lu, Xi, Jackson Salovaara, and Michael B. McElroy. 2012. Implications of the recent reductions in natural gas prices for emissions of \(CO_2\) from the US power sector. Environmental Science & Technology 46(5): 3014-3021.Abstract
\(CO_2\) emissions from the US power sector decreased by 8.76% in 2009 relative to 2008 contributing to a decrease over this period of 6.59% in overall US emissions of greenhouse gases. An econometric model, tuned to data reported for regional generation of US electricity, is used to diagnose factors responsible for the 2009 decrease. More than half of the reduction is attributed to a shift from generation of power using coal to gas driven by a recent decrease in gas prices in response to the increase in production from shale. An important result of the model is that, when the cost differential for generation using gas rather than coal falls below 2–3 cents/kWh, less efficient coal fired plants are displaced by more efficient natural gas combined cycle (NGCC) generation alternatives. Costs for generation using NGCC decreased by close to 4 cents/kWh in 2009 relative to 2008 ensuring that generation of electricity using gas was competitive with coal in 2009 in contrast to the situation in 2008 when gas prices were much higher. A modest price on carbon could contribute to additional switching from coal to gas with further savings in \(CO_2\) emissions.Terms of Use
This article is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Open Access Policy Articles, as set forth at http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:dash.current.terms-of-use#OAPCitable link to this page
http://nrs.harvard.edu/urn-3:HUL.InstRepos:10029444
Collections
Contact administrator regarding this item (to report mistakes or request changes)