While many discuss electricity generation & emissions as though there is a national solution, when you look at the generation maps generated by the FMPA Team, you understand the generation mix varies dramatically depending on resources available in the region. The below maps show the dramatic differences in natural gas, coal, nuclear and wind/solar in the various regions.
Natural gas generation is greater than 50% of the generation in Eastern U.S. and Gulf Coast and ~45% in the Southwest and California. Natural gas is the fundamental source of low-cost and reliable power for most of the country. The rest of the resources are very regional.
Nuclear is 20 – 30% of generation in Eastern U.S. Coal is 25 – 50% in East Central, Midwest and Rockies. Wind and solar ~25% in the Plains, Rockies and Southwest/California but under 5% for Eastern U.S. since there is no wind. Hydro is ~50% of the Pacific Northwest, 15% of California and under 10% for the rest of the regions.
With these significant differences between the regions, its is very difficult to have national generation/emissions policies. It is especially challenging in light of the EPA’s CO2 regulations focusing on coal and natural gas. Those regulations impact Eastern U.S. and these regions have little to no wind nor hydro, limits to what solar can do and new nuclear a decade or more away.
Source: Jacob Williams on LinkeIn
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