Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 12, 2022

The shift from fossil fuels in the 100-percent RES scenario reduces the amount of toxic power plant air pollution much more than what we called a “no-new-policy,” or business-as-usual, scenario. Emissions of sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides from power plants in alliance states drop 88 percent and 77 percent respectively by 2040.

Electricity 276

Electricity Fossil Fuels Renewable Energy Nitrogen Oxides 276

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

It also will save US consumers money because they will spend less on fossil fuels. First, decarbonizing the electricity sector mainly with wind and solar to replace coal and fossil gas. Second, replacing fossil fuels with clean electricity in the transportation, building, and industrial sectors. Your thoughts?

Carbon Emissions 321

Carbon Emissions Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2030 321

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 13, 2024

That means it includes the extreme wildfires exacerbated by the fossil fuel industry that burned more than 4% of California in 2021 and 2022. come from burning fossil fuels and pesticide use, and ultrafine particles (PM0.1) These particles are categorized by size.

2024 274

2024 Fossil Fuels Ozone Air Pollution 274

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 21, 2023

But while greenhouse gas emissions may be reduced, a delivery fulfilled by a diesel-burning truck may lead to increases in emissions of smog-forming nitrogen oxides and lung-damaging particulate matter.

Nitrogen Oxides 276

Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Fossil Fuels Air Pollution 276

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 30, 2023

Communities and ecosystems continue to suffer the consequences of human-caused climate change , primarily from the burning of fossil fuels across our economy. The case for phasing out of fossil fuels and making a just and equitable transition to clean energy has never been more clear. comes from burning fossil fuels.

Fossil Fuels 267

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Air Pollution 267

Legal Planet

MARCH 15, 2023

Research shows that halting the burning of fossil fuels in homes and businesses is beneficial for the health of residents and vital to combat climate change. The Threats of Gas Appliances Every day, domestic gas-powered building appliances emit 65 tons of toxic and highly reactive gases called nitrogen oxides (NOx) per day.

Nitrogen Oxides 305

Nitrogen Oxides Air Pollution Ozone 2029 305

Union of Concerned Scientists

JULY 3, 2022

The majority 6–3 decision sharply curtails the EPA’s authority to set standards based on a broad range of flexible options to cut carbon emissions from the power sector—options such as replacing polluting fossil fuels with cheap and widely available wind and solar power coupled with battery storage.

Climate Change 257

Climate Change Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Nitrogen Oxides 257

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 21, 2025

Solar panels do not emit carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen oxides, or other harmful air pollutants when theyre working. Pennsylvania residents can't enjoy these benefits because the fossil fuel industry has blocked any such legislation. Yet they are still a reliable and affordable source of energy.

Clean Energy 104

Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Renewable Energy Carbon Dioxide 104

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 10, 2024

In New England, the percent of people of color living near fossil fuel power plants is up to 23.5 Even as some parts of the country transition away from fossil fuel infrastructure, the retirement of gas plants has become another driver of inequity. Most notable of these polluting emissions are nitrogen oxides (NOx).

Fossil Fuels 291

Fossil Fuels Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Air Pollution 291

Union of Concerned Scientists

FEBRUARY 9, 2024

Gas plants and infrastructure emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) during combustion, which degrade local air quality. And, perhaps most important, adding more clean energy sources will dramatically reduce the impacts from developing, transporting, and burning fossil fuels. First, there’s air pollution.

Clean Energy 328

Clean Energy Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Electricity 328

Union of Concerned Scientists

DECEMBER 1, 2022

California’s leadership on reducing truck pollution has been on full display the past few years, passing critical regulations requiring 90 percent reduction in smog-forming nitrogen oxide (NO X ) emissions from diesel trucks and requiring manufacturers sell an increasing share of electric trucks to move away from fossil fuels altogether.

Nitrogen Oxides 235

Nitrogen Oxides Clean Air Act Ozone Fossil Fuels 235

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 26, 2024

The fossil fuel industry has systematically contaminated our environment with a wide range of toxic chemicals for over a century. Examples are benzene, hydrofluoric acid, particulate matter, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, and many, many other toxic pollutants. Refining uses many risky industrial processes.

Ground-Level Ozone 231

Ground-Level Ozone Fossil Fuels Ozone Air Pollution 231

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 17, 2023

We need more electricity to transition our homes and cars off fossil fuels, but we can’t afford to let that electricity come from more gas power plants. But gas plants also release emissions of nitrogen oxides, more commonly referred to as NOx emissions, that contribute to smog and other pollutants.

Fossil Fuels 227

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Nitrogen Oxides Electricity 227

Union of Concerned Scientists

APRIL 19, 2023

The Advanced Clean Fleets (ACF) rule, which I’ve blogged about in detail before, will phase out fossil-fueled trucks over the next several decades. Many electric work vans and home-delivery trucks already show a favorable lifetime cost over comparable fossil-fueled models. There are more than 1.8 pollution from vehicles.

Electricity 262

Electricity Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Regulations 262

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 18, 2024

This included a bill that would have started a statewide conversation about the diminished role fossil fuels should play in Maine’s energy system as the state strives to meet its climate and clean energy commitments. Gas is primarily composed of methane—a fossil fuel with extremely high global warming potential.

Fossil Fuels 158

Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide Nitrogen Oxides Electricity 158

Legal Planet

APRIL 25, 2022

Most household appliances, like furnaces and water heaters, are powered by fossil fuels and emit nitrogen oxides (NOx) —toxic and highly reactive gases that endanger human health and the environment. The brief outlines the harmful effects of fossil fuel appliances on human health, air quality, and climate change.

Fossil Fuels 130

Fossil Fuels Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Air Pollution 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

MAY 4, 2023

In the coming years, Californians will begin to see a massive switch away from highly polluting fossil-fueled trucks to zero-emission electric trucks. Additionally, the rule phases out the sale of fossil-fueled trucks in 2036. The rule will apply to commercial, federal, state, municipal, and drayage fleets.

Nitrogen Oxides 162

Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Air Pollution Ozone 162

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 11, 2024

Switching from fossil fuels like gasoline to increasingly clean electricity sources is vital for hitting climate and air pollution goals. Eliminating gasoline combustion also means getting rid of harmful pollutant emissions like nitrogen oxides and reactive organic gases.

Carbon Dioxide 248

Carbon Dioxide 2005 Electricity Nitrogen Oxides 248

Enviromental Defense

SEPTEMBER 20, 2023

Respected bodies like the International Energy Agency have been clear – there is no room for new fossil fuel infrastructure if we want to hold warming to 1.5 Along with their contribution to larger climate change impacts, gas plants also cause local air pollution – mainly nitrogen oxides and particulate matter.

Nitrogen Oxides 138

Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Air Pollution Electricity 138

Enviromental Defense

FEBRUARY 10, 2023

Fossil gas, or “natural gas,” as it’s been cunningly branded, is a fossil fuel that causes warming and is harmful to human health. Its mainstream name is nothing more than a clever marketing scheme by Big Oil to make the fuel sound natural, safe, and clean. This is a huge problem. Many reasons!

Natural Gas 103

Natural Gas Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Carbon Dioxide 103

Legal Planet

MARCH 6, 2023

Hydrogen’s supply-side has been buttressed by incentives from state and federal governments, refineries and utilities looking to extend the life of fossil fuel infrastructure, and renewable energy companies seeking to take advantage of the huge amounts of clean energy needed to produce green hydrogen.

Natural Gas 147

Natural Gas Fossil Fuels Carbon Emissions Carbon Dioxide 147

Enviromental Defense

OCTOBER 12, 2023

One is a subsidy to Enbridge—a fossil fuel giant—to build a fossil fuel power plant. Instead, it will lock in polluting fossil fuel infrastructure for decades. Enbridge promises to blend some hydrogen with natural gas, but that’s just a dangerous distraction.

Fossil Fuels 73

Fossil Fuels Nitrogen Oxides Natural Gas Carbon Dioxide 73

Union of Concerned Scientists

AUGUST 21, 2024

The tax credits do not consider other fundamental dimensions of “clean,” such as emissions of health-harming pollution like nitrogen oxides or particulate matter. The underlying statute defines “clean” to mean that the facility GHG emissions rate—i.e., Treasury and the IRS must set rules that do just that.

Electricity 275

Electricity Clean Energy Greenhouse Technology 275

PA Environment Daily

FEBRUARY 28, 2023

This investment will enable us to begin transitioning our fleet from burning fossil fuels to using renewable resources to reduce our carbon footprint, which will benefit both our company and our community.” “We’re a family-owned local business, and committed to providing the best services for our customers.

Nitrogen Oxides 75

Nitrogen Oxides Ground-Level Ozone Carbon Monoxide Carbon Dioxide 75

PA Environment Daily

MARCH 20, 2023

Shell also emitted the dangerous pollutants nitrogen oxides and carbon monoxide from sources at the plant in the final months of 2022 at rates that exceed permit limits. The Shell petrochemicals complex is ground zero for an identity crisis playing out in the fossil fuel space. tons in any consecutive 12-month period).

Air Pollution 98

Air Pollution Nitrogen Oxides Carbon Monoxide Fossil Fuels 98

Legal Planet

SEPTEMBER 3, 2021

(While burning methane to generate energy releases carbon dioxide into the atmosphere, the overall climate impact is reduced and the gas could potentially replace fossil fuel sources.)

Carbon Dioxide 147

Carbon Dioxide 2013 Nitrogen Oxides Carbon Monoxide 147

Union of Concerned Scientists

JUNE 3, 2024

Despite the generous funding opportunities and holistic flexibilities baked into ACF, confusion around and misinformation about the rule may undermine this much-needed shift away from fossil-fueled trucks and buses. The ACF is estimated to significantly reduce pollution from the statewide commercial truck and bus fleet.

Electricity 130

Electricity Nitrogen Oxides Air Pollution Clean Air Act 130

Environmental Progress

JANUARY 21, 2022

Nuclear energy has very low NOx (nitrogen oxides), SO2 (sulphur dioxide), PM (particulate matter) and NMVOC (non-methane volatile organic compounds) emissions. The values are comparable to or better than the corresponding emissions from the solar PV and wind energy chains.

Nitrogen Oxides 55

Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels Sustainable Development Ozone 55

Clean Energy Law

NOVEMBER 25, 2019

One of the most significant air quality challenges in the Basin is reducing emissions of the ozone precursor nitrogen oxides (NO x ) to meet the ozone standard attainment deadlines. According to the 2016 AQMP, mobile sources contributed about 88% of total NO x emissions in the Basin in 2012.

Ozone 130

Ozone 2020 Regulations 2019 130

Union of Concerned Scientists

JANUARY 17, 2025

The use of fossil fuels in the power sector, via gas, coal, and oil plants, is a major source of pollutants that harm people and communities. Offshore wind provides a ready solution, with more electricity from offshore wind farms directly leading to less generation from fossil fuel plants.

Fossil Fuels 226

Fossil Fuels Wind Power Electricity Carbon Emissions 226

Edouard Stenger

NOVEMBER 30, 2018

Coal also emits other air pollution factors such as sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides and particulate matter… All this causes smog and soot which in turn cause asthma, cancers of all sorts, cardiovascular diseases… Which brings us to its health effects: coal is a mass murderer and is responsible for immense suffering.

Carbon Dioxide 52

Carbon Dioxide Fossil Fuels Air Pollution Nitrogen Oxides 52

Science & Climate

APRIL 22, 2021

A team of transportation and policy experts from the University of California released a report today to the California Environmental Protection Agency (CalEPA) outlining policy options to significantly reduce transportation-related fossil fuel demand and emissions. The state funded the two studies through the 2019 Budget Act.

Fossil Fuels 52

Fossil Fuels Nitrogen Oxides Electricity Air Pollution 52

Union of Concerned Scientists

NOVEMBER 16, 2023

We found that it’s definitely feasible and, what’s more, we can reap significant health and economic benefits by rapidly transitioning away from fossil fuels to clean energy. Overall economywide fossil fuel use falls 50% between 2021 and 2040 and 82% by 2050.  Coal is phased out of the power sector by 2030.

Fossil Fuels 294

Fossil Fuels Clean Energy 2030 Climate Change 294

PA Environment Daily

APRIL 26, 2022

LR100 is a cleaner fuel source for boilers than other fuel oil replacement options and will reduce air emissions of nitrogen oxides and particulate matter by 50% and sulfur dioxide emissions by nearly 99%. LR100 has the lowest carbon footprint of any commercially available biogenic fuel. Read more here.

2022 84

2022 Recycling 2020 Nitrogen Oxides 84

Union of Concerned Scientists

OCTOBER 4, 2023

Differences between setting fuel economy and emissions standards Under the Clean Air Act, EPA is obligated to reduce pollution from mobile sources like passenger cars and trucks when those emissions are a risk to public health and/or welfare. On the other hand, NHTSA doesn’t incentivize EVs so heavily.

Electricity 275

Electricity Clean Air Act Carbon Dioxide 2027 275

Legal Planet

AUGUST 2, 2023

Image via PickPik On May 23, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) proposed emission limits and guidelines for carbon dioxide from fossil fuel-powered plants. To avoid the same fate as the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan, which was struck down by the conservative Supreme Court in West Virginia v.

Carbon Dioxide 246

Carbon Dioxide Fossil Fuels Clean Air Act Nitrogen Oxides 246

Union of Concerned Scientists

SEPTEMBER 26, 2022

This is roughly the equivalent of taking 66 million fossil-fueled cars off the road for an entire year. There are more than 1.8 pollution from vehicles. The rule would also reduce NOx and PM2.5 emissions from trucks by 43 and 29 percent, respectively.

Climate Change 281

Climate Change Electricity Nitrogen Oxides Fossil Fuels 281