Investigating Power Plant Emissions and their Impacts on Air Quality and Climate

摘要

1. Aircraft measurements in power plant plumes compare well with CEMS data, demonstrating emissions decreases resulting from pollution controls. 2. Aircraft observations show differential O_3 production by power plants depending on their emissions and their environment. 3. Space-based instruments detect declines in US power plant NO_x emissions due to pollution controls. 4. Shifting from coal to natural gas in electricity generation has resulted in the prevention of significant CO_2, NOx and SO_2 emissions. 5. NOAA is continuing top-down studies to understand emissions and impacts from a variety of sources in the energy system.