After increasing for many years, carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from power plants in the Mountain West region have begun to level off and decline. There are several reasons for this change in trajectory, beginning with the retirement of a large coal-fired power plant. Another major factor has been the recession, which greatly reduced demand for electricity. In addition, state regulatory policies increased the role of renewable energy and energy efficiency, which displace fossil-fuel generation and reduce carbon dioxide emissions. And municipal, community-based, and business sustainability goals are contributing to greater adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency, thereby reducing emissions.

Concerted public and private sector efforts to deploy renewable energy, increase energy efficiency, and retire coal-fired power plants are needed to continue a downward trend in CO2 emissions from the electric power sector.