Tuesday, October 06, 2009

EIA Forecasts 5.9 Percent Decline in U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions in 2009

Release:
The U.S. Energy Information (EIA) today released updated energy projections for 2009 that imply a 5.9 percent reduction in U.S. carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuels from the 2008 level.

“Several factors contribute to a projected reduction of nearly 6 percent in U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel use in 2009, primarily associated with the economic downturn,” stated

EIA Administrator Richard Newell. “Seventy percent of the expected decline—an estimated 242 million metric tons—is from reduced coal and natural gas use in industry and buildings, substitution of natural gas for coal in electric power, and an increase in carbon-free electricity,” said Newell. “The remaining 30 percent of the emissions decline—totaling 102 million metric tons—is due to reduced consumption of jet fuel and distillate fuel oil, including diesel fuel and heating oil.”

EIA reported its latest energy and CO2 emissions projections for 2009 and 2010 in the "Short-Term Energy Outlook" (STEO), released today (technical details are provided in the STEO Supplement "Understanding the Decline in Carbon Dioxide Emissions in 2009".)

"Understanding the Decline in Carbon Dioxide Emissions in 2009" can be found at: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/special/pdf/2009_sp_06.pdf
We do not need Cap and Tax...