In this guide we compare, by each US State:
– the renewable energy % of electricity production (what share renewables make up of electricity production)
– average electricity price (retail price, in cents per kWh)
– carbon intensity of electricity production (in grams of CO2 per kWh produced)
– and, air pollution/air health (by the amount of small particulate matter in the air)
Summary – Why Compare These Stats For US States On Renewable Energy, Electricity Prices, CO2 Emissions, & Air Pollution?
We put this guide together because …
People often want to know whether renewable energy % share of electricity production is a significant factor that has an impact on electricity prices (whether it can help make them higher or lower)
Further to that, electricity production is usually one of the key sectors that is linked to CO2 emissions along with the transport sector (both use fossil fuels), and other sectors
If renewable energy can be linked to higher electricity prices in a particular State (or a country), they may want a guarantee that at least these higher prices are contributing to lower CO2 emissions from electricity and also lower air pollution levels (so there is at least an environmental benefit being received for the higher prices being paid)
California is perhaps an example of a State that might want to ask questions about their electricity sector and how much value they are getting out of their renewable energy – they have one of the highest renewable energy % shares for electricity production, but higher than average electricity prices, and poor air quality in several parts of the State (although other sectors and activities are to blame for the air quality).
Having said that, their CO2 emissions from electricity production are lower than average, which is a plus for addressing greenhouse gas emissions
NOTE: as mentioned above, it is not only the electricity sector that contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions.
The burning of fossil fuels and activity in other sectors such as transport, heating and cooling, agriculture, industrial, residential, and more can contribute to them.
Some notes from the figures below:
Vermont has the highest renewable energy share
West Virginia and Kentucky have the highest CO2 levels
Hawaii has the most expensive electricity
California has some of the worst air pollution levels, and New Hampshire can some of the lowest air pollution levels (in terms of Particulate Matter exposure)
Renewable Energy % Of Electricity Production vs Electricity Prices vs CO2 Emissions In Each US State
Below is a list of all US States. What the list shows is:
First Line – Renewable Energy % Of Electricity Production (including hydro) in 2017
Second Line – Average Electricity Price (US cents per kWh) in 2017
Third Line – Carbon Intensity Of Electricity (CO2 Emissions in grams per kWh) in 2016
The list is:
Vermont – 99.6%, 14.6 US cents, 2 grams of CO2
Idaho – 81.6%, 8.26 cents, 83 CO2
Washington – 80%, 7.94 cents, 83 CO2
Oregon – 76.3%, 8.81 cents, 130 CO2
Maine – 75.9%, 13.02 cents, 130 CO2
South Dakota – 73.1%, 10.05 cents, 226 CO2
California – 47.2%, 16.06 cents, 186 CO2
Montana – 45.1%, 8.92 cents, 578 CO2
Iowa – 38.8%, 8.73 cents, 454 CO2
Kansas – 36.2%, 10.60 cents, 521 CO2
Oklahoma – 36.1%, 8.20 cents, 449 CO2
Alaska – 33.3%, 19.10 cents, 444 CO2
North Dakota – 31.8%, 8.78 cents, 763 CO2
New York – 27.8%, 14.74 cents, 206 CO2
Minnesota – 24.9%, 10.27 cents, 445 CO2
Nevada – 24.8%, 8.76 cents, 349 CO2
Colorado – 23.4%, 9.99 cents, 649 CO2
New Hampshire – 19.9%, 16.17 cents, 124 CO2
Nebraska – 19.3%, 9.08 cents, 581 CO2
New Mexico – 17.7%, 9.59 cents, 699 CO2
Texas – 16.0%, 8.38 cents, 457 CO2
Hawaii – 14.2%, 26.05 cents, 667 CO2
Arizona – 11.8%, 10.64 cents, 408 CO2
Utah – 11.6%, 8.60 cents, 722 CO2
Wyoming – 11.6%, 8.28 cents, 867 CO2
Tennessee – 11.2%, 9.45 cents, 453 CO2
Massachusetts – 10.5%, 17.12 cents, 334 CO2
North Carolina – 10.3%, 9.04 cents, 388 CO2
Maryland – 9.8%, 11.98 cents, 462 CO2
Wisconsin – 9.3%, 10.76 cents, 592 CO2
Alabama – 9.2%, 9.83 cents, 388 CO2
Arkansas – 8.8%, 8.26 cents, 500 CO2
Michigan – 8.3%, 11.28 cents, 492 CO2
Georgia – 7.9%, 9.83 cents, 431 CO2
Rhode Island – 7.2%, 16.42 cents, 394 CO2
Kentucky – 6.9%, 8.57 cents, 904 CO2
Illinois – 6.6%, 9.49 cents, 355 CO2
Virginia – 6.4%, 9.18 cents, 363 CO2
Indiana – 6.0%, 9.77 cents, 822 CO2
South Carolina – 5.9%, 9.97 cents, 284 CO2
West Virginia – 4.60%, 9.00 cents, 906 CO2
Pennsylvania – 4.35%, 10.13 cents, 382 CO2
Missouri – 4.24%, 10.03 cents, 785 CO2
Louisiana – 4.15%, 7.79 cents, 336 CO2
Connecticut – 3.46%, 17.55 cents, 192 CO2
New Jersey – 2.89%, 13.32 cents, 254 CO2
Mississippi – 2.6%, 9.09 cents, 412 CO2
Florida – 2.53%, 10.92 cents, 444 CO2
Ohio – 2.48%, 9.84 cents, 678 CO2
Delaware – 1.68%, 10.91 cents, 414 CO2
– wikipedia.org, and eia.gov
Air Pollution By US State
Air pollution can be measured by different air pollutants, like particulate matter, ozone, nitrogen dioxide, and so on.
So, it’s best to check what the air quality or air pollution rating is tracking.
The following list is for particulate matter only …
In 2018, from healthiest State to least healthy state for Air Pollution, in terms of Average exposure of the general public to particulate matter of 2.5 microns (PM2.5) or less in size (3-year average):
North Dakota (Healthiest, and least air pollution)
New Hampshire
Wyoming
Vermont
South Dakota
Hawaii
New Mexico
Massachusetts
Maine
Colorado
Idaho
Montana
Wisconsin
Kansas
New York
Arkansas
Florida
Minnesota
Nebraska
Iowa
Virginia
Alaska
North Carolina
South Carolina
Mississippi
Rhode Island
Connecticut
Oregon
Tennessee
West Virginia
Missouri
Oklahoma
Louisiana
Washington
Kentucky
Maryland
Michigan
New Jersey
Utah
Alabama
Delaware
Georgia
Texas
Indiana
Nevada
Ohio
Illinois
Arizona
Pennsylvania
California (Worst air pollution)
– See the full list at https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/air/state/ALL
Other resources on the most and least polluted States and cities in the US are:
- https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/sota/city-rankings/most-polluted-cities.html
- https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/sota/city-rankings/cleanest-cities.html
- https://qz.com/1604654/the-us-cities-with-the-worst-air-pollution-are-in-california/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollution_in_the_United_States
Sources
1. https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/measure/air/state/ALL
2. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_pollution_in_the_United_States
3. https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/sota/city-rankings/most-polluted-cities.html
4. https://www.lung.org/our-initiatives/healthy-air/sota/city-rankings/cleanest-cities.html
5. https://qz.com/1604654/the-us-cities-with-the-worst-air-pollution-are-in-california/
6. https://www.eia.gov/electricity/state/
