U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON DC 20585

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
JUNE 30, 2005

U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from burning fossil fuels increased by 1.7 percent in 2004, from 5,796 million metric tons of carbon dioxide (MMTCO₂) in 2003 to 5,896 MMTCO₂ in 2004, according to preliminary estimates released today by the Energy Information Administration (EIA). Carbon dioxide emissions per dollar of real gross domestic product (GDP), a measure of emissions intensity, declined by 2.6 percent in 2004, as the economy grew by 4.4 percent.

Total U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions have grown by 18.2 percent over the 1990 to 2004 period. Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions account for over 80 percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions and are a good indicator of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.

From 1990 to 2004, the carbon dioxide intensity of the economy fell by 22.5 percent.  The 2.6 percent drop in carbon intensity of the economy in 2004 is greater than the average annual reduction of 1.8 percent per year since 1990.  By 2003 (the latest year of data for all greenhouse gases), carbon intensity had fallen by 20.4 percent and emissions of total greenhouse gases per dollar of GDP had fallen by 22.2 percent. 

Factors that put upward pressure on emissions in 2004 included: strong economic growth of 4.4 percent, increased energy demand of 1.6 percent, and industrial sector output growth of 4.1 percent.

Factors that tended to mitigate the increase in emissions in 2004 included:  both a warmer winter and a cooler summer than in 2003, with a 4.2- and 4.3-percent drop in heating and cooling degree-days respectively, which moderated the demand for heating fuels and air conditioning; and a 1 percent drop in the carbon intensity of electricity generation due to the increased use of natural gas for power generation and increases in generation from nuclear power and wind generation.  This drop in intensity means that, although electric power generation increased by 1.9 percent, electric power emissions rose by only 0.9 percent.

On a sectoral level, preliminary data indicate that:

• Carbon dioxide emissions in the residential sector fell by 0.2 percent in 2004 due mainly to the mitigating effect of a warmer winter and cooler summer than the year before.

• Emissions from the commercial sector increased by 0.4 percent in 2004. The impact of a strong economy was partially offset by favorable weather conditions that moderated commercial sector energy consumption.

• Industrial emissions grew by 1.7 percent in 2004 as this sector experienced strong growth of 4.1 percent. 

• Transportation-related carbon dioxide emissions, which account for about a third of total carbon dioxide emissions, increased by 3.6 percent in 2004.  Emissions related to gasoline demand increased by 2.6 percent, emissions related to diesel fuel grew by 4.9 percent and jet fuel emissions grew by 3.8 percent.

EIA will continue to refine its estimates of 2004 carbon dioxide emissions as more complete energy data become available. A full inventory of 2004 emissions of all greenhouse gases will be available in November using revised energy data and providing a further analysis of trends.

The preliminary estimates are on EIA's web site at:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/flash/flash.html

EIA Program Contact: Perry Lindstrom, 202/586-0934; Paul McArdle, 202/586-4445

EIA Press Contact: National Energy Information Center, 202/586-8800

EIA-2005-07

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