Conversion Emission Factor Unit

Electricity use (kilowatt-hours) 0.0007442175 MTCO2/kWh

Gallons of gasoline consumed 0.008887 MTCO2/gallon gasoline
Passenger vehicles per year 4.67 MTCO2e/vehicle/year
Therms of natural gas 0.005302 MTCO2/therm
MCF of natural gas 0.054982 MTCO2/MCF
Barrels of oil consumed 0.43 MTCO2/barrel
Tanker trucks filled with gasoline 75.540 MTCO2/tanker truck
Home electricity use 6.672 MTCO2/home
Home energy use 9.261 MTCO2/home/year
Number of tree seedlings grown for 10 years 0.0386 MTCO2/urban tree planted
Acres of U.S. forests storing carbon for one year 0.849 MTCO2/acre of average U.S. forest
Acres of U.S. forest preserved from conversion to cropland 122.56 MTCO2/acre converted
Propane cylinders used for home barbeques 0.024 MTCO2/cylinder
Railcars of coal burned 183.2 MTCO2/railcar
Tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled 2.87 MTCO2e/ton of waste recycled instead of landfilled
Coal-fired power plant emissions for one year 4,038,687 MTCO2/power plant
Pounds of coal burned 0.000914 MTCO2/pound of coal
Miles driven by the average passenger vehicle per year 0.000408 MTCO2E /mile
Number of garbage trucks of waste recycled instead of landfi 20.07 MTCO2E /garbage truck of waste recycled instead of landfilled
Number of wind turbines installed 3,948 MTCO2 / wind turbine installed
Number of incandescent bulbs switched to LEDs 0.02988 MTCO2 / bulb replaced
T&D Line Losses 7.26214 percent
EPA Equivalencies Calculator
Calculations and References
Last update: 9/7/2017

Factor 2017 Update Unit Source Vintage Notes/Comments

Electricity Reductions (kilowatt hours)
U.S. annual CO2 national weighted marginal emission rate (lb/MWh) 1,640.72 lb/MWh EPA (2017). AVERT. July 2017. 2016 Portfolio EE factor
CO2 marginal emission rate 7.44E-04 mt CO2/kWh
0.0007442175 calculation
Gallons of gasoline consumed
CO2 emissions per gallon of gasoline 8,887 grams of CO2/gallon of gasolineFederal Register (2013). Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards a 2010 Set equal to previous year (8,887)
8.89E-03 mtCO2/gallon of gasoline

Passenger vehicles per year

2-axle 4-tire vehicles - passenger cars, vans, pickup trucks, and SUVs

weighted average combined fuel economy 22 mpg
average VMT 11,443 miles/year
ratio of CO2 to total GHG emissions for passenger vehicles 0.989 ratio
amount of CO2 emitted per gallon of motor gasoline burned 8.89E-03 mtCO2/gallon of gasoline
4.67 mt CO2E/vehicle/year
FHWA (2017). Highway Statistics 2015. Office of Highway Policy Information, Federal Highway
2015 Administration. Table VM-1.
FHWA (2017). Highway Statistics 2015. Office of Highway Policy Information, Federal Highway
2015 Administration. Table VM-1.
EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Cha 2015 Sum of gasoline and diesel passenger cars and light-duty trucks CO2 emissions, divided by sum of gasoline and diesel passenger cars and light-duty trucks CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions
calculation

Therms of natural gas

average heat content of natural gas 0.1 mmbtu per therm conversion
average carbon coefficient of natural gas 14.46 kg carbon per mmbtu EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Annex 2015
2 (Methodology for estimating
Note: unit reported CO 2 emissions
in inventory from fossil
(MMT C/Qbtu) fuel combustion), Pg. A-64, Table A-40 "Annually Variable C Content Coefficients by Year"
= kg C/MMBtu
fraction oxidized to CO2 100%
0.0053 metric tons CO2/therm

Mcf of natural gas

average heat content of natural gas 0.001037 MMBTU/cf EIA (2017). Monthly Energy Review - March 2017. Table A4 - End-Use Sectors https: 2015
amount of cf per mcf 1,000 cf/Mcf conversion
amount of mmbtu per therm 0.1 mmbtu per therm conversion
amount of therms per mcf 10.370 Therms/Mcf calculation
0.0550 metric tons CO2/Mcf
Barrels of oil consumed

average heat content of crude oil 5.8 mmbtu per barrel
average carbon coefficient of crude oil 20.31 kg carbon per mmbtu
fraction oxidized 100%
0.43 metric tons CO2/barrel
EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Annex 2015
2 (Methodology for estimating CO 2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion), Table A-49 "Carbon Content Coefficients and Underlying Data for Petroleum Products", Pg. A-81
EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Annex 2015
2 (Methodology for estimating CO 2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion), Pg. A-64, Table A-40 "Annually Variable C Content Coefficients by Year"
(IPCC 2006)

Tanker trucks filled with gasoline

standard heat contents for motor gasoline (conventional gasoline) 5.253 mmbtu/barrel EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. GHG Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Annex 2 (Methodology
2015for estimating CO 2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion), Table A-49 "Carbon Content Coefficients and Underlying Data for Petroleum Products", Pg. A-81
average heat content of conventional motor gasoline 0.125 mmbtu/gallon conversion 2015
carbon coefficient of motor gasoline 19.46 kg C/mmbtu EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Annex 2015
2 (Methodology for estimating
Note: unit reported CO 2 emissions
in inventory from fossil
(MMT C/Qbtu) fuel combustion), Pg. A-64, Table A-40 "Annually Variable C Content Coefficients by Year"
= kg C/MMBtu
average carbon coefficient of motor gasoline 71.35 kg CO2/mmbtu conversion 2015
fraction oxidized 100% (IPCC 2006)
amount of CO2 emitted per gallon of motor gasoline burned 8.89E-03 mt CO2/gallon
volume of typical gasoline tanker truck 8,500 gallons Federal Register (2010). Light-Duty Vehicle Greenhouse Gas Emission Standards 2010
75.54 metric tons CO2/tanker truck

Home electricity use

number of homes in US 116.1 million households EIA 2017a. 2017 Annual Energy Outlook. AEO Excel Table A4 2016
total home electricity consumption 1410 billion kWh EIA 2017a. 2017 Annual Energy Outlook. AEO Excel Table A4 2016
average electricity consumption per home (delivered electricity) 12,148 kWh EIA 2017a. 2017 Annual Energy Outlook. AEO Excel Table A4 2016
national average carbon dioxide output rate for electricity generated 1,122.90 lbs CO2 per megawatt-hour EPA (2017). eGRID, February, 2017. 2014
Net Generation to the Grid 3,940.47 billion kWh EIA 2017a. 2017 Annual Energy Outlook. AEO Excel Table A8 2016
Net Imports 57.01 billion kWh EIA 2017a. 2017 Annual Energy Outlook. AEO Excel Table A8 2016
Total Electricity Sales 3,726.83 billion kWh EIA 2017a. 2017 Annual Energy Outlook. AEO Excel Table A8 2016
T&D losses 7.3% T&D loss rate EIA 2017a. 2017 Annual Energy Outlook. AEO Excel Table A8 2016 EIA (2017). June MER corroborates with a T&D loss of ~7%
CO2 emissions per MWh delivered electricity 1,210.8 lbs CO2 per megawatt-hour for delivered electricity
EPA (2017). eGRID, February, 2017. 2014
6.672 metric tons CO2/home.
Home energy use
number of homes in the US 116.1 million homes EIA 2017a. 2017 Annual Energy Outlook. AEO Table Browser 2016 Total Households
number of single-family detached homes NA million homes
number of single-family attached homes NA million homes
average electricity consumption per home 12,148 kWh EIA 2017a. 2017 Annual Energy Outlook. AEO Excel Table A4 2016
average natural gas consumption per home 37,922 cubic feet EIA 2017a. 2017 Annual Energy Outlook. AEO Excel Table A4 2016 Natural Gas - Delivered Energy
average LPG consumption 40.7 gallons EIA 2017a. 2017 Annual Energy Outlook. AEO Excel Table A4 2016 Propane - Delivered Energy
average fuel oil consumption 26.9 gallons EIA 2017a. 2017 Annual Energy Outlook. AEO Excel Table A4 2016 Fuel Oil - Delivered Energy
average kerosene consumption 108 gallons RECS 2009 2009
national average carbon dioxide output rate for electricity generated 1,122.90 lbs CO2 per megawatt-hour EPA (2017). eGRID, February, 2017. 2014
T&D losses 7.3% T&D loss rate EIA 2017a. 2017 Annual Energy Outlook. AEO Excel Table A8 2016 EIA (2017). June MER corroborates with a T&D loss of ~7%
national average emission rate for delivered electricity 1,210.8 lbs CO2 per megawatt-hour for delivered electricity
average carbon dioxide coefficient of natural gas 0.0550 kg CO2 per cubic foot EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Annex 2015
2 (Methodology for estimating CO 2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion), Pg. A-64, Table A-40 "Annually Variable C Content Coefficients by Year"
heat equivalent of natural gas 1037 Btu/Cubic foot EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Anne 2015
fraction oxidized 100% (IPCC 2006)
carbon content of distillate fuel oil 20.17 kg C / mmbtu EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Anne 2015 Fuel Oil No. 2
gross heat of combustion - distillate fuel oil 5.809 mmbtu/barrel EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Anne 2015 Fuel Oil No. 2
heat content of LPG 3.836 mmbtu/barrel EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Anne 2015 Propane
average carbon dioxide coefficient of distillate fuel oil 429.61 kg CO2 per 42-gallon barrel calculation
average carbon dioxide coefficient of liquefied petroleum gases 235.7 kg CO2 per 42-gallon barrel EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Anne 2015
carbon content of kerosene 19.96 kg C / mmbtu EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Anne 2015
gross heat of combustion - kerosene 5.825 mmbtu/barrel EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Anne 2015
average carbon dioxide coefficient of kerosene 426.31 kg CO2 per 42-gallon barrel calculation
home electricity emissions 6.672 metric tons CO2/home
home natural gas emissions 2.09 metric tons CO2/home
home LPG emissions 0.23 metric tons CO2/home
home fuel oil emissions 0.27 metric tons CO2/home
home kerosene emissions metric tons CO2/home
Total CO2 emissions for energy use per home 9.26 metric tons CO2 per home per year

Propane cylinders used for home barbecues

Percent of propane that is carbon 81.71% pounds C / pound propane EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Anne 2015
fraction oxidized 100% (IPCC 2006)
weight of typical propane cylinder 18 lbs propane / cylinder
0.024 metric tons CO2/cylinder

Railcars of coal burned

average heat content of coal 21.10 mmbtu per metric ton
average carbon coefficient of coal 26.05 kilograms carbon per mmbtu
fraction oxidized 100%
amount of coal in an average railcar 100.19 short tons
amount of coal in an average railcar 90.89 metric tons
183.22 metric tons CO2/railcar
EIA (2017) Monthly Energy Review April 2017: Approximate Heat Content of Coal and 2015 Electric Power Coal
EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Annex 2015
2 (Methodology for estimating
Electric Power Coal CO 2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion), Pg. A-64, Table A-40 "Annually Variable C Content Coefficients by Year"
(IPCC 2006)
(Hancock 2001).
(Hancock 2001).

Tons of waste recycled instead of landfilled

net emission reduction from recycling mixed recyclables (e.g., paper, m 0.78 metric tons of carbon equivalentWARM version 14 2015
2.87 metric tons CO2 equivalent /ton calculation
o

Coal-fired power plant emissions for one year

power plants used coal to generate at least 95% of their electricity 369 number EPA (2017). eGRID, February, 2017. 2014
CO2 emissions from these plants (short tons) 1,642,747,164.82 short tons CO2
CO2 emissions from these plants 1,490,275,586.7 metric tons CO2 EPA (2017). eGRID, February, 2017. 2014
4,038,687.23 metric tons CO2/power plant

Pounds of Coal Burned

average heat content of coal 21.10 mmbtu per metric ton EIA (2017) Monthly Energy Review April 2017: Approximate Heat Content of Coal and 2015
average carbon coefficient of coal 26.05 kilograms carbon per mmbtu EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Annex 2015
2 (Methodology for estimating CO 2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion), Pg. A-64, Table A-40 (Electric Power Coal)
fraction oxidized 100% (IPCC 2006)
 9.14E-04 mt CO2/lb coal

CO2 from driving the average passenger vehicle X miles

2-axle 4-tire vehicles - passenger cars, vans, pickup trucks, and SUVs
CO2 emissions per gallon of gasoline 8.89E-03 mtCO2/gallon of gasoline
weighted average combined fuel economy 22 mpg FHWA (2017). Highway Statistics 2015. Office of Highway Policy Information, Federal Highway
2015 Administration. Table VM-1.
CO2 emissions per mile 4.04E-04 mt CO2/mile
ratio of CO2 to total GHG emissions for passenger vehicles 0.989 ratio EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Cha 2015 Sum of gasoline and diesel passenger cars and light-duty trucks CO2, CH4, and N2O emissions
CO2 equivalent emissions per mile 4.08E-04 mt CO2e/mile
average VMT miles/year 2015 Administration. Table VM-1.
FHWA (2017). Highway Statistics 2015. Office of Highway Policy Information, Federal Highway

GHG emissions avoided by recycling X garbage trucks or railcars full of waste

net emission reduction from recycling mixed recyclables (e.g., paper, m 0.78 metric tons of carbon equivalentWARM version 14 2015
average capacity of garbage trucks 7 tons EPA (2002). Waste Transfer Stations: A Manual for Decision-Making. U.S. Environme 2002 Note: assumption is conservative among values surveyed
net emission reduction from recycling mixed recyclables (e.g., paper, m 2.87 metric tons CO2 equivalent /ton calculation
o
20.07 mt CO2 equivalent/ garbage truck of waste recycled instead of landfilled

Annual emissions avoided from installing X average wind turbines

average U.S. turbine size 2.00 MW DOE (2016). 2015 Wind Technologies Market Report. U.S. Department of Energy, Energy2015 Figureand
Efficiency 12 Renewable
supporting data. Domestic
Energy Division.Wind Manufacturing Capability vs. U.S. Wind Power Installations
average US capacity factor 0.319 % DOE (2016). 2015 Wind Technologies Market Report. U.S. Department of Energy, Energy2015
Efficiency
Figureand
30 Renewable
Supporting data.
Energy
Average
Division.
Cumulative Sample-Wide Capacity Factor by Calendar Year, Net Capacity Factor based on actual generation, with curtailment
hours per year 8,760 hours / year constant
MWh generated by typical wind turbine 5,591.06 MWh/year calculation
kWh generated by typical wind turbine in a year 5,591,057 kWh/year calculation
Wind national marginal emission rate 1,557 lb/MWh EPA (2017). AVERT. July 2017. 2016
Wind national marginal emission rate 7.0619E-04 mt CO2/kWh EPA (2017). AVERT. July 2017. 2016
3,948 mt CO2/wind turbine

Switching out X incandescent light bulbs for LEDs

Incandescent bulb wattage 43 watts EPA (2015) - Energy Star lighting calculator 2015 43 is the federal standard for an incandescent light bulb.
Equivalent LED bulb 9 watts EPA (2015) - Energy Star lighting calculator 2015 9 is the minimum LED replacement associated with an incandescent bulb.
Difference in wattage 34 watts calculation
hours in use per day 3 hours/day EPA (2015) - Energy Star lighting calculator 2015 Default assumption
days per year 365 days/year
kw per watt 0.001 kW/W
annual energy savings per bulb 37.2 kWh/year/bulb
U.S. annual CO2 national weighted marginal emission rate (lb/MWh) 1,640.7 lb CO2/MWh EPA (2017). AVERT. July 2017. 2016 Portfolio EE factor
T&D losses 7.3% T&D loss rate EIA 2017a. 2017 Annual Energy Outlook. AEO Excel Table A8 2016
non-baseload CO2 emission rate, delivered 1,769 lbs CO2 per megawatt-hour for delivered electricity
non-baseload CO2 emission rate, delivered 8.03E-04 mt CO2 per kWh delivered electricity, non-baseload
2.99E-02 mt CO2 per lightbulb

Number of tree seedlings grown for 10 years

Amount of carbon sequestered by a medium growth coniferous tree, pla 23.2 lbs of carbon U.S. DOE (1998). Method for Calculating Carbon Sequestration by Trees in Urban and Suburban Settings. Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases, U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration (16 pp, 111K, About PDF)
0.039 metric ton CO2 per urban tree planted

Acres of U.S. forests storing carbon for one year

Harvested Wood Pools (MMT C)
Net Annual Changes in C Stocks (MMT C/yr) in Forest (does not incl (155.70) MMT C /year 2015
EPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Chapter This calculation
6, Table 6-12: Forestdoes
Areanot include
(1,000 ha)harvested woodinproducts.
and C Stocks Forest Land Remaining Forest Land and
Forest area (1000 ha) 272,260 thousand hectares Harvested
EPA (2017).Wood Poolsof(MMT
Inventory C)
U.S. Greenhouse 2016
Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Chapter 6, Table 6-12: Forest Area (1,000 ha) and C Stocks in Forest Land Remaining Forest Land and
Carbon stocks (MMT C/year) in forest 50,975 MMT C Harvested Wood Pools (MMT C) 2015
Carbon stock density of U.S. forests 187.23 metric tons of carbon per hectarcalculation
Carbon stock density of U.S. forests 75.77 metric tons of carbon per acre calculation
Annual net change in carbon stock per area (0.57) metric tons of carbon/ hectare/ calculation
Annual net change in carbon stock per area (0.23) metric tons of carbon/ acre/ yearcalculation

Conversion Factor for Carbon Sequestered in One Year by 1 Acre of Average U.S. Forest
Annual net change in carbon stock per area (0.23) MT C/ acre per year calculation
Metric ton CO2 sequestered annually by one acre of average U.S. fore (0.85) metric tons of CO2/acre/year conversion
Acres of U.S. forest preserved from conversion to cropland
Harvested Wood Pools (MMT C)
Forest area (1000 ha) 272,260 thousand hectares 2016
Carbon stock density of U.S. forests 187 metric tons of carbon per hectare
Carbon stock density of U.S. forests 76 metric tons of carbon per acre
Carbon stock density of U.S. forests by type Harvested Wood Pools (MMT C)
Aboveground biomass 14,096 MMT C Harvested Wood Pools (MMT C) 2015
Belowground biomass 2,905 MMT C Harvested Wood Pools (MMT C) 2015
Dead wood 2,560 MMT C Harvested Wood Pools (MMT C) 2015
Litter 2,676 MMT C Harvested Wood Pools (MMT C) 2015
Soil (Mineral) 28,385 MMT C 2015

Carbon stocks (MMT C/year) in forest

Aboveground biomass 52 metric tons of carbon per hectarcalculation
Belowground biomass 11 metric tons of carbon per hectarcalculation
Dead wood 9 metric tons of carbon per hectarcalculation
Litter 10 metric tons of carbon per hectarcalculation
Soil (Mineral) 104 metric tons of carbon per hectarcalculation

Average reference soil carbon stock 40.83 metric tons of carbon per hectarcalculation
HAC/Mineral Soils 49.00 metric tons of carbon per hectarEPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Annex 3, TabAverage over all climate regions
LAC/Mineral Soils 41.33 metric tons of carbon per hectarEPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Annex 3, TabAverage over all climate regions
Sandy 32.17 metric tons of carbon per hectarEPA (2017). Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2015. Annex 3, TabAverage over all climate regions

Soil carbon stock at beginning of inventory time period 104

Change in carbon stocks in mineral soils (3.17)

Annual Change in Biomass Carbon Stocks on Land Converted to Other Land-Use Category
Carbon stock in annual cropland biomass after one year 5 metric tons of carbon per hectarIPCC (2006)
Carbon content of dry aboveground biomass 0.45 % IPCC (2006)
Carbon stock in cropland after one year of growth 2.25 metric tons of carbon per hectarcalculation
Annual increase in carbon stocks in biomass due to growth on land co 0.91 metric tons of carbon per acre conversion

Carbon stocks in aboveground, belowground, deadwood, and litter bi (81.68) metric tons of carbon per hectarcalculation
Annual decrease in biomass stocks due to losses from harvesting, fue 0 assumption
Annual change in carbon stocks in biomass on land converted to anot (79.43) metric tons of C/hectare/year
Change in carbon density from converting forestland to cropland (82.60) metric tons of C/hectare/year calculation
Change in carbon density from converting forestland to cropland (33.43) metric tons of C/acre/year conversion
Change in carbon density from converting forestland to cropland (302.85) metric tons CO2 hectare/year conversion
Change in carbon density from converting forestland to cropland (122.56) metric tons CO2 acre/year conversion

Conversion Factor for Carbon Sequestered by 1 Acre of Forest Preserved from Conversion to Cropland
Change in carbon density from converting forestland to cropland (33.43) metric tons C/acre/year calculation
Conversion Factor for Carbon Sequestered by 1 Acre of Forest Preserv (122.56) metric tons CO2/acre/year conversion
Conversion Factors

4.536E-04 metric tons/lb

1000 kWh/MWh
0.001 metric ton / kg
1E+09 kg/Tg
0.1 mmbtu/1 therm
1E+09 MMBtu/Quadrillion Btu
1000000 MMBtu/Tbtu
0.4536 kilograms/pound
3.6666667 Ratio of CO2 to C, 44/12
2,204.6 lbs/metric ton
42 gallons per barrel of oil
1000000 Btu per MMBtu
0.001 kg/g
1.8642646 Propane density (kg/gallon)
11.6 Propane barrels per metric ton
46.2 Propane gallons/barrel
0.907185 metric tons/short ton
2.47105 acres per hectare
3412.14 Btu per kWh