In its latest short-term energy outlook released today, the Energy Information Administration said that carbon emissions will climb 3.2 percent this year in the U.S. The EIA estimates that emissions from burning fossil fuels will rise another 1.6 percent in 2011.
The rise in emissions this year is attributed to projected economic growth and and more electricity generated from coal and natural gas. A projected increase in demand for transportation fuel, gas, diesel, and jet fuel, is credited for the rise in emission in 2011.
While higher than June’s estimated emissions forecast of a 2.9 percent increase for 2010 and 1.4 percent for 2011, the EIA projections are still well below the average annual emissions increases seen over the last decade. Emissions from fossil fuel use fell by 7 percent in 2009. In December, the EIA predicted that U.S. emissions won’t hit 2008 levels again until 2019.
Source:
E&E News (subscription required)
EIA July report (pdf)
