U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON DC 20585
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 20, 1997
Colder Than Average Weather Fuels Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rise in 1996
According to an Energy Information Administration (EIA) report released today, emissions of carbon dioxide increased by 3.5 percent in 1996 compared with 1995, to almost 1.5 billion metric tons. Emissions of the principal greenhouse gases as a group (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and certain other gases) increased by 3.4 percent, to a total of 1.75 billion metric tons of carbon equivalent. U.S. national emissions in 1996 were 8.3 percent, or 135 million metric tons of carbon equivalent, higher than in 1990.
The report, Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 1996, indicates that much of the rise in emissions between 1995 and 1996 was caused by colder than normal temperatures early in the year. The cold weather led to an increase in demand for natural gas, distillate fuel and electricity for heating in the residential and commercial energy sectors. Higher natural gas demand in turn caused a price spike which induced electricity generators to shift, where possible, to coal-powered generation; coal emissions in the electric power sector were up by 6.5 percent or over 28 million metric tons. Growth in the U.S. economy of 2.8 percent in 1996 also contributed to higher emissions.
The United States will be a participant in talks in Kyoto, Japan later this year which are aimed at limiting global emissions of greenhouse gases from human-generated sources. These gases are believed by scientists to contribute to uncertain, but potentially undesirable changes in the global climate.
Other major findings include:
- Transportation sector emissions (primarily from motor vehicles) accounted for 32 percent of the energy-related carbon emissions in 1996. The increase over 1995 was 2.3 percent.
- Industrial sector emissions, comprising slightly more than 32 percent of the total, grew 2.6 percent in 1996.
- Emissions of methane were unchanged in 1996. Methane accounts for 10 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions on a carbon equivalent basis. Methane emissions are about 2 percent lower than the 1990 level.
- Emissions of exotic gases such as hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and sulfur hexaflouride grew by more than 10 percent in 1996; while the global warming potential of these gases is high, their emission levels are still very low.
Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 1996 was prepared by the EIA's Office of Integrated Analysis and Forecasting. The EIA is an independent agency within the Department of Energy that is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating energy information. The full report can be accessed immediately via the World Wide Web at www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/1605a.html. Copies of the published report Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 1996 will be available from the U.S. Government Printing Office, 202/512-1800, or through EIA's National Energy Information Center, 202/586-8800, on or about October 24, 1997. Press copies of the executive summary are available from EIA's Press Contact.
| The report described in this press release was prepared by the Energy Information Administration, the independent statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. The information contained in the report and the press release should be attributed to the Energy Information Administration and should not be construed as advocating or reflecting any policy position of the Department of Energy or any other organization. |
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EIA-97-30
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