MANAGE YOUR ENERGY
The following environmental information is for Standard Offer Service, which commenced on January 1, 2001. The data are published at the request of the Maryland Public Service Commission and are based on regional averages. Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative specific emissions and energy source (fuel mix) data may vary from these averages.
Electricity can be generated in a number of ways with different impacts on the environment. The standardized environmental information shown below allows you to compare this electricity product with electricity products offered by other electricity suppliers. For additional information, contact SMECO at 1-888-440- 3311, extension 1806.
SMECO is a distribution cooperative – meaning that we are responsible for the distribution of energy to our member/customers. SMECO does not own any generating facilities. Instead, we purchase the energy we will need to fulfill our supply obligations from the market, using forward contracts with power supply counterparties. As such, the system fuel mix that SMECO delivers is based on the fuel mix of the regional transmission system (RTO) as a whole. The Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Maryland (PJM) RTO, of which SMECO is a member, serves most of the eastern United States.
The 2007 system fuel mix can be found below. Additional information on annual and monthly fuel mixes is available from PJM.
Values represent 2007 averages for this region: 56% coal, 7.2% natural gas, 34.2% nuclear, 0.5% oil. Renewable energy: 0.2% captured methane gas, 0% geothermal, 0.9% hydroelectric, 0% solar, 0.6% solid waste, 0.2% wind, 0.2% wood/other biomass.
The amount of air pollution associated with the generation of electricity production for this region, given in pounds emitted per Megawatt Hour of electricity generated, is as follows: Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) - 7.7; Nitrogen Oxides (NOX) - 2.1; Carbon Dioxide (CO2) - 1,241.6.
Note: CO2 is a .greenhouse gas, which may contribute to global climate change. SO2 and NOX released into the atmosphere react to form acid rain. NOx also react to form ground level ozone, an unhealthful component of smog.