The Department of Environmental Protection posted a new fact sheet on carbon emissions in Pennsylvania highlighting the fact that Pennsylvania is achieving emissions reductions through regulatory requirements and holistic decision making efforts, and those efforts have resulted in considerable emissions reductions in recent years.

For example:

—  Pennsylvania’s greenhouse gas emissions emissions are expected to be lower in 2020 than in 2000 with reductions in the residential, commercial, transportation, agriculture and waste sectors, according to the 2013 Update to Pennsylvania’s Climate Change Action Plan.

— Carbon dioxide emissions from the fossil fuel-fired electric generating fleet in Pennsylvania have declined by 12 percent from 2008 through 2013 and are projected to decline by 29 percent from 2005-2020.

— Since 2008, cumulative air contaminant emissions across the state have continued to decline. In particular, sulfur dioxide emissions from electric generating units (EGU) have been reduced by approximately 70 percent. The emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter have also been reduced by approximately 23 percent and 46 percent, respectively, from this sector. These reductions represent between $14 billion and $37 billion of annual public health benefit, based on U.S. Environmental Protection Agency methodologies.

— Other notable reductions include:

-- Sulfur oxide emissions have gone down 70 percent since 2008.

-- Mercury, a hazardous air pollutant, emissions have gone down 37 percent since 2008. o Carbon monoxide emissions have gone down 16 percent since 2008.

DEP is committed to achieving emissions reductions while keeping the economy strong, and the holistic approach to managing environmental issues is the principal reason for the corresponding decline in GHG emissions and improved economic outlook.

A copy of the fact sheet is available online.

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9/7/2015