Nevada Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projections
Emissions (MMTCO₂eq)
Nevada Statewide Greenhouse Gas Emissions Inventory and Projections, 1990 to 2030
30
Figure 3-1: Electricity Generation Sector Emissions, 1990 – 2013 (MMTCO2eq)
25
20
15
10
N20, all fuels
■CH4, all fuels
5
CO2, Natural Gas
CO2, Petroleum
CO2, Coal
0+
1990
1995
2000
2005
2010
An alternative way to look at Nevada's electricity generation sector is through generation. Figure 3-2
illustrates data provided by the EIA on electricity generation amounts by fuel type in the state from 1990
to 2015.16 One of the benefits to viewing the sector presented in this way is that all fuel types are
considered, not just ones that emit GHGs. The renewable generation of electricity has long been a part
of Nevada's diverse generation mixture. The generation of electricity via hydroelectric dams and
geothermal deposits has been present prior to 1990 and the recent expansion into solar thermal, solar
photovoltaic, and wind show that renewable generation has become a relied upon portion of the state's
generation mix. The increasing use of renewable generation is important in mitigating GHG emissions
because it means that for every megawatt (MW) of fossil fuel generation that is replaced with
renewable generation, or for every MW of renewable capacity that is installed to meet future demand,
GHG emissions are being offset.
17
Nevada currently has three coal-fired power plants in the state. Two of these plants, the Reid Gardner
and North Valmy generating stations, have planned and tentative retirement dates prior to 2030,
respectively. The third, TS Power Plant owned by the Newmont Mining Corporation, is a 242 MW
plant that went into operation in 2008 and overwhelmingly supplies its generation to the Corporation's
mining activities. It is likely that this plant will be in operation well past 2030. With the planned
retirements of Reid Gardner and North Valmy generating stations NV Energy must replace the
generating capacity of these plants to continue to meet consumer demand.
16 http://www.eia.gov/electricity/data.cfm#generation (accessed October 2016).
17
The Reid Gardner Generating Station had its first unit come online in 1965 and will see its final unit shutdown at
the end of 2017; the North Valmy Generating Station, whose first unit went into operation in 1981, has a tentative
retirement planned for 2025.
13View entire presentation