Recycling electricity decreases a building’s carbon footprint and works toward net zero energy by reducing the amount of electricity needed. This energy reduction also lessens the environmental impact of all sources of electricity by making every kilowatt-hour produced more efficient.

Make renewable sources like solar or wind power more effective:

• By decreasing the amount of electricity needed, electricity generated by renewable sources can meet more of the energy needs of the building.

Approach net-zero energy:

• Net-zero energy buildings have zero carbon emissions and a net zero consumption of energy. Recycling electricity is a step used to bring a building to net zero by reducing its energy consumption.

Reduce pollution:

• Lower pollution from fuels like coal by reducing the amount of electricity purchased

40% of all carbon dioxide produced in the US comes from electricity generation, according to the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Any effort that reduces the amount of electricity needed has a large impact on the greatest source of CO2 emissions in the US.

The amount of electricity generated by different sources varies from state to state. For a detailed breakdown of energy in your state see chart below or visit http://www.eia.gov/state/

For a breakdown of the environmental savings by state, please consult the table below. The table lists the pounds of carbon dioxide (CO2) emitted into the atmosphere for each 1000 kWh generated for each state. It also lists the number of trees that would have to be planted to absorb and therefore offset that CO2 for the same 1000kWh. This data is calculated from the state wide averages from the Department of Energy and the EPA.

Region/State	CO2 / 1000 kWh	Trees / 1000 kWh
New England	980	11.5
Connecticut	940	11.1
Maine	850	10
Massachusetts	1280	15
New Hampshire	680	8
Rhode Island	1050	12.3
Vermont	30	.4
Mid Atlantic	1040	12.2
New Jersey	710	8.3
New York	860	10.1
Pennsylvania	1260	14.8
East-North Central	1630	19.2
Illinois	1160	13.6
Indiana	2080	24.5
Michigan	1580	18.6
Ohio	1800	21.2
Wisconsin	1640	19.3
West-North Central	1730	20.3
Iowa	1880	22.1
Kansas	1680	19.7
Minnesota	1520	17.9
Missouri	1840	21.6
Nebraska	1400	16.5
North Dakota	2240	26.3
South Dakota	800	9.4
South Atlantic	1350	15.9
Delaware	1830	21.5
Florida	1390	16.3
Georgia	1370	16.1
Maryland (&#42)	1370	16.1
North Carolina	1240	14.6
South Carolina	830	9.8
Virginia	1160	13.6
West Virginia	1980	23.3
East-South Central	1490	17.5
Alabama	1310	15.4
Kentucky	2010	23.6
Mississippi	1290	15.2
Tennessee	1300	15.3
West-South Central	1430	16.8
Arkansas	1290	15.2
Louisiana	1180	13.9
Oklahoma	1720	20.2
Texas	1460	17.2
Mountain	1560	18.3
Arizona	1050	12.3
Colorado	1930	22.7
Idaho	30	.4
Montana	1430	16.8
Nevada	1520	17.9
New Mexico	2020	23.7
Utah	1930	22.7
Wyoming	2150	25.3
Pacific Contiguous	450	5.3
California	610	7.2
Oregon	280	3.3
Washington	250	2.9
Pacific Non-contiguous	1560	18.3
Alaska	1380	16.2
Hawaii	1660	19.5
U.S. Average	1340	15.8

 

*Includes the District of Columbia