Pennsylvania LCV: U.S. Energy Emissions fall 1.6 percent in 2006, preliminary report finds

PENNSYLVANIA LEAGUE OF CONSERVATION VOTERS

NEWS RELEASE                  www.votecleanpa.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:                                                                         CONTACT:

May 29, 2007                                                                                                            Michael Fedor,

                                                                                                                                 717-234-2651

U.S. Energy Emissions fall 1.6 percent in 2006, preliminary report finds

Mild weather, use of alternative fuels, higher fossil fuel prices key factors

Energy-related carbon dioxide emissions have grown 17.9 percent since 1990 in the United States.  These emissions account for 80 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the United States and have provided many companies, organizations, and local governments in Pennsylvania with the opportunity to attack global climate change at the source.  A preliminary report recently released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration shows conservation, efficiency, and alternative energy are having immediate impacts.

“While this data is still preliminary, it does show there is hope for us to attack the causes of global climate change before it’s too late,” said PA League of Conservation Voters Executive Director Michael Fedor.  “The message that Americans should be conserving energy and investing in alternatives to fossil fuels is having an impact.”

Also part of the preliminary data released by EIA were these estimates:

·         Carbon dioxide emissions from residential and commercial sectors decreased by 3.7 percent and 1.0 percent respectively in 2006, as heating degree-days declined by 7.4 percent, while at the same time cooling degree-days decreased by almost 1 percent.

·         Industrial emissions fell by 1.2 percent in 2006.  Since 2004, emissions attributable to the industrial sector have fallen by almost 4 percent despite growth in industrial output.

·         Transportation-related carbon dioxide emissions, which account for about a third of total carbon dioxide emissions, decreased by 0.1 percent in 2006.

Despite last year’s drop, pressure must remain high to curb CO2 emissions.  Since 1990, U.S. energy-related C02 emissions are up 25.6 percent among residential demands, increased 33.9 percent in the commercial sector, and climbed 25.4 percent in 17 years in the transportation sector.

“We still have much work ahead of us,” said Fedor.  “Pennsylvania remains the third highest polluter of CO2 in the nation behind California and Texas.”

Fedor says hope may lie in converting Pennsylvania from a rust belt to a green belt.  “The moment for investment in a new clean energy economy in Pennsylvania couldn’t be better.  We’ll create jobs and further curb our CO2 emissions through investments in solar and wind technology.”

The full report of 2006 data will be released by the EIA in November.

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The Pennsylvania League of Conservation Voters is the political arm of the Pennsylvania environmental community. PALCV is a non-profit with a mission to educate Pennsylvania voters about the environmental records and positions of elected officials and to help elect pro-environment candidates to office. Visit the web site at www.votecleanpa.org  to learn more.