This dashboard measures live carbon intensity (lbs CO2 per MWh generated) for every major US ISO/RTO and 20+ balancing authorities. Intensity typically ranges from near 0 lbs CO2/MWh for hydro-, nuclear-, or wind-heavy grids to 800+ lbs CO2/MWh for coal-heavy regions.
Current conditions: CAISO 519 lbs CO2/MWh (39.8% clean), ERCOT 723 lbs CO2/MWh (36.3% clean), MISO 1190 lbs CO2/MWh (19.1% clean), NYISO 450 lbs CO2/MWh (45.8% clean), ISONE 512 lbs CO2/MWh (42.2% clean), SPP 866 lbs CO2/MWh (42.2% clean).
How it works: Carbon intensity is a weighted average across all fuel sources: Σ(MW × factor) / Σ(MW). Each fuel type is multiplied by its emission factor, summed, then divided by total generation.
| Fuel | lbs CO₂/MWh | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Coal | 2,228 | EPA eGRID 2023 (USCCO2RT) |
| Natural Gas | 899 | EPA eGRID 2023 (USGCO2RT) |
| Oil / Petroleum | 1,555 | EPA eGRID 2023 (USOCO2RT) |
| Nuclear | 0 | Zero combustion emissions |
| Wind | 0 | Zero combustion emissions |
| Solar | 0 | Zero combustion emissions |
| Hydro | 0 | Zero combustion emissions |
| Geothermal | 38 | NREL lifecycle assessment |
| Biomass | 1,500 | NREL lifecycle assessment |
| Imports / Other | 767 | EPA eGRID 2023 US avg (USCO2RTA) |
Factors are averages, not marginal. Imports and unrecognized fuel types use the US national average. EPA eGRID 2023