Environmental Footprint
Environmental Performance Metrics
Almost 40 percent of the electricity we generated in 2009 was from carbon-free sources, including nuclear, hydro and wind. Including our renewable energy assets, our nuclear fleet in the Carolinas and our hydroelectric assets in North America and South America, we are now the third-largest producer of carbon-free electricity in the Americas among U.S.-based, investor-owned utilities.
Emission levels depend on many factors, including demand for electricity, fuel availability and prices, weather and emission controls deployed. CO2 and NOx emissions declined in 2009 due to reduced coal generation, which resulted from decreased demand for electricity, and increased nuclear and hydro generation. SO2 emissions decreased due to the factors above, plus the addition of emission controls.
Duke Energy TRI-reported releases for 2008 were down about 29 percent from 2007. Though partially due to reduced 2008 generation (and fuel consumption), the primary cause of this reduction was recently installed air pollution control devices at several plants, including new flue gas desulfurization (FGD) scrubbers. FGD scrubbers are highly effective at capturing acid aerosols (hydrochloric acid, hydrogen fluoride and, to a lesser extent, sulfuric acid), which compose the largest portion of TRI-reported releases. Baghouses (filters to remove fine particles from exhaust gases) recently installed at one plant also decreased sulfuric acid emissions. However, sulfuric acid reductions from scrubbers and baghouses were offset by increases due to burning higher sulfur coal and by increased selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system operations for NOx control. TRI-reported releases of metal compounds also decreased from 2007.
We have a goal to reduce NOx, volatile organic compounds (VOC), particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions from our on-road and off-road vehicle fleet 35 percent by 2012 compared to 2006. We are on track to meet this goal.
We have a goal to increase the amount of coal combustion products that are beneficially used (excluding structural fills) by 10 percent by 2012, compared to 2007. We are on track to meet this goal.
We have a goal to increase the percentage of U.S. solid waste that is recycled from 52 percent in 2008 to 62 percent by 2012. We also have a goal to reduce by 25 percent the amount of low-level radioactive waste (Class B and C) we generate by 2012, compared to the 2002 through 2005 average. We are on track to meet both of these goals.
We have a goal to reduce electricity consumption at our 13 largest commercial buildings 10 percent by 2012 compared to the 2005 through 2007 average. We are on track to meet this goal.
Oil spills include releases of lubricating oil from generating stations, leaks from transformers or damage caused by third parties (typically due to auto accidents).
No fines were associated with 10 of the 18 citations in 2009. In addition, $2,747,500 of the total 2009 fines/penalties resulted from resolution of citations received prior to 2009. The 2007 total fines/penalties figure includes proposed fines of approximately R$20 million (approximately US$10 million) assessed by the Brazil State Environmental Agency of Parana and approximately R$300,000 (approximately US$150,000) by the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Renewable Natural Resources for alleged violations related to reforestation. We are contesting these violations.
