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U.S.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions
In 2009, total U.S.
greenhouse gas emissions were 6,633.2 Tg or million metric tons CO2 Eq.
While total U.S. emissions have increased by 7.3 percent from 1990 to
2009, emissions decreased from 2008 to 2009 by 6.1 percent (427.9 Tg CO2
Eq.). This decrease was primarily due to (1) a decrease in economic output
resulting in a decrease in energy consumption across all sectors; and (2)
a decrease in the carbon intensity of fuels used to generate electricity
due to fuel switching as the price of coal increased, and the price of
natural gas decreased significantly. Since 1990, U.S. emissions have
increased at an average annual rate of 0.4 percent.
U.S. Greenhouse
Gas Emissions by Gas
Annual Percent
Change in U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Cumulative Change
in Annual U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions Relative to 1990
2009 CO2 Emissions
from Fossil Fuel Combustion by Sector and Fuel Type
Source: EPA 2011 U.S. Greenhouse
Gas Inventory Report
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