The generation and use of energy can affect the environment and human health. Energy generated from the burning of fossil fuels results in pollutants being emitted into the air. Fossil fuel-fired power plants are responsible for 70% of the nation's sulfur dioxide emissions, 13% of nitrogen oxide emissions, and 40% of man-made carbon dioxide emissions. These emissions can lead to smog, acid rain, and haze. In addition, these power plant emissions increase the risk of climate change.

Air Quality

There are six common air pollutants, most of which result from the burning of fossil fuels: ozone, particulate matter, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, and lead. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are also of great concern for their role in climate change. DEQ is committed to protecting Virginians' health and welfare from the effects of greenhouse gas emissions.

You can’t manage what you don’t measure, so consider tracking your GHG emissions by using a Greenhouse Gas Calculator:

Water Quality and Water Supply

Drilling and mining operations to obtain fuel (coal, oil, natural gas) usually involve the discharge of wastewater that contains pollutants (such as heavy metals and salts). The burning of these fuels for electricity generation also results in the discharge of water used in the generation or cooling systems, and these water discharges can contain pollutants, including excess heat. Additionally, electricity generation may involve the consumption of water resources for steam production and cooling, equipment cleaning, and other purposes.

Waste Generation

Burning coal, oil, or municipal solid waste to generate electricity results in the creation of waste. Some of this waste, like non-hazardous ash, is disposed of in landfills or recycled and used in cement and building materials. In other cases, this waste may contain toxic and hazardous elements and materials that require special handling, treatment, and disposal.  

Steps to reduce the environmental impact of energy use include:

  1. Track how much energy you use.
  2. Become more energy efficient.
  3. Purchase renewable energy.