PJM Interconnection, the largest U.S. regional transmission organization (RTO), recorded all-time lows for various greenhouse gas emissions last year while natural gas-fired generation continued to grow as the Mid-Atlantic region’s primary power source. 

PJM, the RTO managing the electric grid for 13 Mid-Atlantic states and Washington, DC, said carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2023 tumbled by 43% from 2005 levels to about 732 lbs/MWh, a record low. Nitrous oxide emissions also dropped by 90% since 2005, while sulfur dioxide emissions fell by 96% over the same period. 

The drop in emissions “is the result of a decline in the use of coal, an increase in the use of natural gas, and the installation of environmental controls from 2006-2023,” according to Monitoring Analytics...