Net Generation of Electric Power

Not all electricity that is generated in Arizona is used by Arizonans; much of it is exported to other states, particularly to markets in Southern California. In 2010, over one third (39.1%) of the energy generated in Arizona was from coal. Coal burning power plants are a source of air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The percent of energy produced from natural gas continues to decrease in Arizona, from 32.5% in 2008 to 31.0% in 2009 to 26.6% in 2010, and although natural gas-fired power stations burn cleaner and produce lower greenhouse gas emissions than coal-fired generators, natural gas is also a non-renewable energy source. Palo Verde Nuclear Power plant is the highest capacity nuclear plant in the United States, and was responsible for 27.9% of the energy produced in Arizona in 2010. The idea of renewable energy production is becoming more important in Arizona but production has actually decreased in recent years. In 2010, 6.2% of the total energy generated in Arizona came from renewable sources, down from 15.4% in 1997.