WASHINGTON - The total emission of greenhouse gases in the United States increased by 1.4 percent in 2007, according to the U.S. Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) Energy Information Administration (EIA).

An EIA report found that U.S. greenhouse gas emissions reached the equivalent of 7.282 million metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2007. Greater weather extremes - both heating and cooling degree days were higher in 2007 than 2006 - and an increase in the carbon intensity of electricity generation, driven by decreased availability of hydropower, both contributed to higher energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in 2007. While carbon dioxide emissions increased by 1.3 percent in 2007, other greenhouse gases increased at a faster rate. The EIA stated that there was a 3.3 percent increase in emissions of “gases with high global warming potentials,” which includes HFCs.

Since 1990, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions have risen by nearly 17 percent.

Publication date: 12/22/2008