April 14, 2021
By:
Walter G. Wright
Category:
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
Arkansas Environmental, Energy, and Water Law
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The United States Energy Information Administration (“EIA”) published an April 12th report titled:
U.S. Energy-Related CO2 Emissions Declined by 11% in 2020 (“Report”)
Data provided in EIA’s Monthly Energy Review cited carbon dioxide (“CO2) emissions as having decreased in 2020.
The primary reason for the decrease is stated to be the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic and related restrictions. As to the United States power sector, the Report states that coal emissions declined 19%. However, natural gas-related CO2 is stated to have risen by 3%. Renewable generation sources are cited as an additional factor for lowering the carbon emissions per unit of electricity generated.
Other industries discussed in the Report and industry (i.e., besides the power sector) energy-related CO2 emissions include:
- Transportation energy-related CO2 emissions declined by 15% (citing less travel as a factor)
- Commercial energy-related CO2 emissions declined by 12% (partially due to pandemic restrictions)
- Industrial energy-related CO2 emissions fell by 8% (predominant cause cited is slowing of manufacturing operations because of response to the pandemic)
- Residential energy-related CO2 emissions are stated to have decreased by 6% (primarily from declining carbon intensity in the power sector as opposed to reduction in energy reduction)
A copy of the Report can be downloaded here.
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