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Contents: The United States is the world’s largest global warming polluter. Below are the primary U.S. sources. Industry and Buildings. Energy savings can reach 30 percent or more when interactive effects of building and system components such as lighting, heating and cooling are considered. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, energy savings of this level in commercial buildings would reduce energy bills by $75 million annually. Power plants. Nearly 600 of the nation’s power plants have been “grandfathered” from new emissions standards, exempting them from emissions caps for smog- and acid-rain-forming pollutants (NOX and SOX). Bringing all plants up to current standards would dramatically reduce air pollution. Additionally, there are no standards to limit the release of global warming pollution or mercury into the environment. Power plants are responsible for 36 percent of U.S. CO2 emissions and 32 percent of all mercury emissions. Nationwide cuts in both of these pollutants are necessary to protect public health and the environment. Up to Top HOME | Email Signup | About Us | Contact Us | Terms of Use | © 2008 Sierra Club |
Transportation. Cars, sport-utility vehicles and other light trucks emit 20 percent of the nation’s CO2 pollution. Updated Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards could save 3 million barrels of oil each day when fully
implemented, and new standards would cut CO2 pollution by 600 million tons. Raising CAFE standards is the biggest
single step the United States can take to curb global warming pollution.