U.S. reports reduction in carbon emissions

May 24

U.S. carbon emissions from burning fossil fuels decreased by 1.3 percent in 2006, marking the first time since 2001 that absolute emissions declined.

Emissions of carbon dioxide dropped from 5.96 million metric tons in 2005 to about 5.88 million metric tons in 2006, according to the Energy Information Administration, part of the U.S. Department of Energy.

At the same time, the total carbon intensity of the economy fell by 4.5 percent.

The EIA defines absolute emissions as an actual decline in tonnage released and carbon intensity as the amount of carbon dioxide released per dollar of gross domestic product.

The declines occurred at the same time the economy, as measured by the gross domestic product, grew by 3.3 percent.

Factors that drove emissions lower included weather conditions that reduced the demand for heating and cooling services, according to the EIA. Higher energy prices for natural gas, gasoline, and electricity also reduced energy demand. And an increased use of lower-carbon and no-carbon fuels in generating electricity also contributed to the lower carbon emissions.

President Bush said the policies of his administration also helped contribute to the decline in emissions of carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas. "We have moved forward with an effective climate change policy that is science-based, encourages research and investment in the technologies needed to solve the problem, and takes advantage of the power of the markets," he said.

The administration in 2002 announced a commitment to reduce the nation´s greenhouse gas intensity by 18 percent by 2012.