March 10

U.S. greenhouse gas emissions declined by 1.5 percent between 2005 and 2006, according to a draft report released March 7 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2006, found the decrease was due primarily to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions associated with fuel and electricity consumption.

Total U.S. greenhouse emissions in 2006 were 7.2 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride.

While the EPA found a one year decline in 2006, overall emissions have grown by 14.1 percent from 1990 to 2006 while the U.S. economy has grown by 59 percent over the same time, according to the draft report.

The EPA will accept public comments on the report for 30 days after the Federal Register notice is published.

Information about the draft report and how to submit comments is available online at www.epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/usinventoryreport.html .

 

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