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 558 lbs CO2/MWh (34.6% clean), ERCOT 706 lbs CO2/MWh (38.3% clean), MISO 789 lbs CO2/MWh (47.4% clean), NYISO 377 lbs CO2/MWh (54.1% clean), ISONE 505 lbs CO2/MWh (45.6% clean), SPP 495 lbs CO2/MWh (70% 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