Energy use in California: implications for the environment

Abstract

Energy use in California in 1969 and its implications for thermal and. air pollution are examined. The State is considered in terms of the energy consumed within each of the eleven designated air basins, both with respect to the source of the energy and its uses. It is shown that 94% of the energy for the State was provided by hydrocarbon fossil fuels, mainly natural gas (50% of total energy supplied) and gasoline (27% of the total). Half of the energy demand for the State was within the 9200 square miles constituting the South Coast Air Basin; 36.5% of the total demand was within Los Angeles County alone. Air pollution emission factors characterizing each fuel source for a given use are compiled in the form of units of emittant per unit of energy. It is shown that some fuels for some purposes are inherently "dirty" energy sources and possible fuel substitutions are suggested. Emissions resulting from the combustion of fuels in 1969 are computed for each air basin. In an attempt to calculate the lowest emissions theoretically possible, that is, the residual pollution when all emitters are as clean as we know how to make them, minimum emission factors for each fuel use are given and the minimum combustion emissions determined. Possible strategies for the reduction of polluting emissions are discussed in some detail. Ambient air heating problems (thermal pollution) from energy released within air basins are considered and the resulting possible changes in ambient air temperature are discussed.