% OF CURRENT POWER SUPPLY

COST PER UNIT OF POWER

POTENTIAL OUTPUT

EFFICIENCY

PRIME LOCATION

CO₂ EMISSIONS

PITFALLS

48%

U.S. reserves could last 250 years.

Southeast

Claims that "clean coal" can trap 90% of CO₂ emissions are unproven.

22%

U.S. reserves could last more than 40 years.

Texas, West

Much cleaner than coal, but still a CO₂-emitting fossil fuel

0.02%

22 to 69% of total power

Southwest

Night, storage. Thermal plants may be more efficient but in pilot phase.

0.8%

Up to 20% of total power

Great Plains

Intermittent wind, storage, and transmission are still issues.

19%

Up to 25% of total power

Anywhere with water

Risks of leaks and terrorist attacks. Waste disposal pricey. Politically dicey.

6%

Up to 12% of total power

West

Environmental damage. May cause CO₂ emissions if located in forest.

0.4%

Up to 10% of total power

California, West

High infrastructure costs. Uncertainty about price and potential sites.

1%

Up to 14% of total power

Midwest

Cofiring with coal emits CO₂, but less than coal emits by itself.

* measured in kg of CO₂ equivalent emitted per mwh of electricity generated