EPA Reports 3.9 Percent Increase In U.S. Energy-Related CO2 Emissions in 2010

U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from the consumption of fossil fuels were 5,638 million metric tons carbon dioxide (MMTCO2) in 2010, an increase of 3.9% from the 2009 level, according to Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions 2010, an online analysis released today by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). This is the largest percentage increase in U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions since 1988. However emissions are still 6% below the 2005 level. Since 1990, U.S. carbon dioxide emissions have grown at an average annual rate of 0.6%.

Among the factors that influenced the rise in emissions was an increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 3%. In addition, the energy intensity of the U.S. economy, measured as energy consumed per dollar of GDP (Energy/GDP), increased by 0.7% in 2010. There was also a slight increase in the carbon dioxide intensity of U.S. energy supply (CO2 per unit of energy) in 2010, which is in contrast to a drop of 2.4% in 2009. Consumption of coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, rose by 6% in 2010 after falling by 12% in 2009.

Craig DiLouie

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