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Summary

The US electricity system is often described as the world’s largest machine. It is also incredibly diverse, reflecting the policy preferences, needs and available natural resources of each state.

Carbon Brief has plotted the nation’s power stations in an interactive map to show how and where the US generates electricity.

A few key messages can be gleaned from the map and associated data interactives below:

• The US electricity system has been changing rapidly over the past decade.
• This reflects not only federal policy, but also technologies, geographies, markets and state mandates.
• The average US coal plant is 40 years old and runs half the time. Some 15% are at least 50 years old, against an average retirement age of 52.
• Planned new power plants are almost exclusively gas, wind or solar.

Author

Carbon Brief