[LINK] "U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions Hit New 25-Year Low"
The Wall Street Journal's Rebecca Smith notes falling carbon dioxide emissions from the US, a consequence of, among other factors, shifting energy production methods. This news item should bring us some hope.
U.S. carbon dioxide emissions fell to a new 25-year low during the first six months of 2016, helped in large part by power plants switching from coal to natural gas and renewable sources of electricity, according to a Wednesday report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Mild weather also played a role. Many regions across the country experienced higher-than-normal temperatures last winter, which reduced demand for heating fuels, the agency said.
Energy-related carbon emissions in the first half of the year were 2.53 billion metric tons, the lowest since the same period in 1991. Full-year emissions for 2016 are on pace to be 5.18 billion metric tons, which would be the lowest on record since 1992, according to the latest federal projection.
The numbers mean the U.S. is on track to reduce energy-associated carbon emissions by at least 1.5% this year compared with a 3% drop last year.
“They’re not huge decreases, but our carbon intensity is going down as a nation,” said Allen McFarland, an analyst with the U.S. Energy Department. “Carbon intensity has been generally falling since 2005.”
U.S. carbon dioxide emissions fell to a new 25-year low during the first six months of 2016, helped in large part by power plants switching from coal to natural gas and renewable sources of electricity, according to a Wednesday report by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
Mild weather also played a role. Many regions across the country experienced higher-than-normal temperatures last winter, which reduced demand for heating fuels, the agency said.
Energy-related carbon emissions in the first half of the year were 2.53 billion metric tons, the lowest since the same period in 1991. Full-year emissions for 2016 are on pace to be 5.18 billion metric tons, which would be the lowest on record since 1992, according to the latest federal projection.
The numbers mean the U.S. is on track to reduce energy-associated carbon emissions by at least 1.5% this year compared with a 3% drop last year.
“They’re not huge decreases, but our carbon intensity is going down as a nation,” said Allen McFarland, an analyst with the U.S. Energy Department. “Carbon intensity has been generally falling since 2005.”