US carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions resulting from energy use during the first quarter of 2012 were the lowest in two decades for any January-March period, according to U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) figures. The country’s CO2 emissions from energy consumption totaled 1,340 million metric tons during the first quarter of 2012, down nearly eight percent from a year ago, according to the EIA June Monthly Energy Report.
EIA said CO2 emissions during January-March 2012 were low due to a combination of three factors:
- A mild winter that reduced household heating demand and therefore energy use
- A decline in coal-fired electricity generation, due largely to historically low natural gas prices
- Reduced gasoline demand
It is likely that the trend toward lower CO2 emissions may be reversed by the hot dry summer in the Great Plains. Although we are still analyzing metering data, Heartland may have hit a new system peak on August 1st.
Drat: another victory for left-wing environmentalists.
Nice shot across my bow. Unfortunately neither you leftists nor we moderates can claim credit for this. Many electric system rates are designed to reward more efficient use of energy, Ours are designed that way. We also have a broad range of energy efficiency programs as well as centralized demand response options for our customers to use. Our customers have responded to these options. We are seeing increased system efficiency in their energy use. Given enough time, CO2 emissions could be significantly reduced at an affordable price by building efficiency into our national energy use. It would have the same impact as vehicle fuel efficiency standards have had since their introduction 30+ years ago. Where you and I probably differ is the time to be allowed and the extent of cost cushions for energy consumers. Thanks for commenting. I’ll fire the next shot sometime soon.