Question

Place the following energy sources in order of their least net carbon dixide emission into the atmosphere, where 1. = lowest net carbon, and 4. = highest net carbon.

In your calculation, take into account:

1. How much carbon dioxide (or CO2 equivalent) is emitted per unit energy generated.
2. If the source is renewable, how much carbon dixide (or CO2 equivalent) is removed from the atmosphere each year by that resource.
3. How much energy is needed to produce and deliver that energy source

Peat   

Lignite Coal  

Anthracite Coal   

Bituminous Coal

Answer 1

As per the data available on Energy Information Administration - EIA, the overall average of the carbon dioxide produced per unit of energy (British thermal units, Btu) for different type of coal are:

Peat = 257 pounds approximately

Anthracite = 228.6 pounds

Lignite = 215.4 pounds

Bituminous = 205.7 pounds

Therefore the rating is:

1. Bituminous
2. Lignite
3. Anthracite
4. Peat