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What is your carbon footprint? It really depends on where and how you live. But if you’re an average Utahn, you’re on the high end.
Utah ranks 29th among states in total carbon dioxide emissions from energy, according to 2021 data from the federal Energy Information Administration. (Does not include emissions from agriculture.)
On a per capita basis, the Beehive State’s ranking rose to 19th. On average, each Utahn produces more than 18 tons of carbon dioxide per year.
That’s about 3.5 tons more than the average American and 10 tons more than the average Californian.
(Christopher Cherington | Salt Lake Tribune)
And while U.S. carbon dioxide emissions have declined in recent years, Americans remain among the world’s top carbon emitters.
According to data from the World Resources Institute, Americans emitted 13.03 tons of carbon dioxide per person in 2020, ranking 10th among countries. At the top of the list were all heavy oil producing countries, including the Persian Gulf states, Australia and Canada. The global average that year was 4.29 tons per person.
along with the Persian Gulf countries
And if Utah were a country, it would rank sixth on that list, between the United Arab Emirates and Oman.
Too much carbon dioxide in the atmosphere prevents radiation from being emitted, throwing the Earth’s temperature out of balance. Human-generated carbon dioxide is a major cause of climate change, causing extreme weather events, forest fires, rising sea levels, species declines, and other disasters. Most carbon dioxide emissions come from the combustion of fossil fuels.
All three West Coast states are near the bottom of the list in per capita carbon emissions. Washington ranked 44th with 9.45 tons. Oregon ranks 45th with 9.09 tons of carbon dioxide, and California ranks 48th with 8.3 tons per person per year.
The northwestern states started out with the inherent advantage of abundant hydropower. And many Californians live in mild climates that don’t require much heating or cooling. The Golden State has also been at the forefront of clean energy policy, enshrining both carrots and sticks in legislation to encourage clean energy and discourage the use of fossil fuels.
Lazarus Adua, an associate professor of sociology at the University of Utah whose research focuses on the human side of energy, points to three sources of Utah’s carbon footprint: These are coal-fired power generation, lack of adequate mass transport, and a bias towards larger vehicles.
“Utah gas prices are not among the lowest in the country, but they are affordable enough to allow us to take more trips with larger vehicles,” Adua said. “If you live in California, you’re probably more cautious about your driving habits and the type of car you want to own because it’s so expensive to fill up.”
Wyoming is America’s carbon king
Wyoming, which produces 40% of the nation’s coal, tops the list in the United States, producing a staggering 93.5 tons of coal per capita in 2021. Other Western states with more weight than Utah include Alaska (53 tons), Montana (25.2 tons), and New Mexico. (21.7 tons).
Utah produces all three major fossil fuels: oil, natural gas, and coal. We also consume roughly equal amounts of all three: oil to fuel cars and trucks, natural gas to heat buildings and fuel industry, and coal and natural gas to generate electricity.
The most carbon-intensive fossil fuel is coal, and Utah burns more coal for electricity than most states. In its most recent legislative session, Utah passed legislation aimed at doubling coal use and extending the lifespan of coal-fired power plants.
Lawmakers are betting that the transition to clean power is too ambitious and that other states moving away from coal will be forced to buy Utah’s coal-fired power at higher prices within a few years. But that remains to be seen.
Slow transition to renewable energy
Meanwhile, Utah lags behind other Western states in getting its electricity from renewable energy.
(Christopher Cherington | Salt Lake Tribune)
Utah ranks last among its neighbors, getting only 11% of its electricity from renewable sources, according to data from the nonprofit Yale Climate Connections. Even Wyoming was at 22%, mostly due to the wind energy they get there.
Notably, that study only looked at produced renewable energy. and consumed state. This would exclude much of Southwest Utah’s renewable power from wind and solar power contracted to California utilities.
There are currently no strong economic incentives to reduce carbon emissions, but that could change. The idea of imposing a tax or fee on carbon emissions continues to receive bipartisan attention in Washington, D.C., and would increase costs for the average Utah resident.
“Storage is the future”
Utahns in the clean energy industry see a missed opportunity.
“Utah’s energy mix could become even more diverse. We have incredibly untapped solar, wind, and geothermal energy. Combined with battery storage, we have the potential to become even more diverse. We can provide a more reliable and affordable energy mix,” said Sarah Wright, CEO of Utah Clean Energy, a nonprofit advocacy group.
“We need to think about the future, and energy storage is the future,” said Tyler Hawtin, CEO of Lehi-based Lion Energy, which sells lithium batteries of all sizes, including utility-scale batteries. said the CEO.
Hawtin acknowledged that battery production capacity is still being ramped up, including a new “gigafactory” in Tucson, Arizona, which will produce batteries for sale to Lion. He dismisses concerns about having enough raw materials. “Lithium prices have never been lower and continue to fall.”
Editor’s note • This article is available only to Salt Lake Tribune subscribers. Thank you for supporting local journalism.
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