Missouri Electricity: The Dirty Truth
Electricity, like many things that we buy, needs to be made. And just like any other item that is created, it requires some form of manufacturing. For electricity, this transformation occurs in power plants. Missouri uses 11 coal plants to generate electricity, and 8 out of 10 of our largest plants are fed by coal. All told, coal is responsible for 74% of Missouri’s electrical production.1
Coal plants are extremely carbon-intensive and the least environmentally friendly of all methods of energy creation. The Enova Energy Group confirms that coal produces more pollution than any other energy source.2 More coal was consumed for power generation in Missouri than in any other state except for West Virginia.1 Put another way, Missouri ranks 49 out of the 50 United States for producing the dirtiest electricity in the nation. This fact should serve as a powerful reminder for those who advocate for ‘going green’ here in Missouri and should also shed light on the real cost of electrifying your home.
Propane, on the other hand, is made from harvesting natural gas from beneath the earth’s surface, and to a much lesser extent the mining of petroleum. Removing propane from natural gas is an easy procedure, which may explain the abundance of propane. As long as natural gas is used as a fuel source in Missouri, propane will naturally occur. Currently, over 90% of the propane used in America is produced in America, with enough left over to ship to other countries as exports.
When compared head-to-head, propane is superior to electricity for your home. It not only wins the efficiency battle, but it is also better for the environment. Furthermore, when paired with a propane generator, the use of propane liberates users from their dependence on the electrical grid. To see the advantages of propane in real-life, check out these beautiful homes that highlight the advantages of propane.
Sources
1 – The United States EPA website: https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=MO
2 – The Enova Energy Group website: https://www.enovaenergygroup.com/which-types-of-energy-source-produces-the-most-pollution/