The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that colder than average weather in 1996 caused a substantial increase in U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
It said U.S. carbon dioxide emissions grew 3.5% in 1996, compared with 1995, to almost 1.5 billion metric tons. Emissions of the principal greenhouse gases as a group (CO2, methane, nitrogen oxides, and certain other gases) increased 3.4% to 1.75 billion tons of carbon equivalent (tce).
U.S. emissions in 1996 were 8.3%, or 135 million tce, higher than in 1990.
The EIA report said much of the rise in emissions from 1995 to 1996 was caused by colder-than-normal temperatures early in the year, which led to an increase in demand for gas, distillates, and electricity for heating.
It said higher gas demand caused a price spike, which induced electric power generators to shift, where possible, to coal-powered generation. Coal greenhouse gas emissions in the electric power sector were up 6.5%, or more than 28 million tons. Growth in the U.S. economy of 2.8% in 1996 also contributed to higher emissions.
Emissions breakdown
The EIA report said transportation sector emissions (primarily from motor vehicles) accounted for 32% of the energy-related carbon emissions in 1996. The increase from 1995 was 2.3%.It said industrial sector emissions, comprising slightly more than 32% of the total, grew 2.6% in 1996.
Methane emissions were unchanged in 1996. Methane accounts for 10% of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions on a carbon-equivalent basis. Methane emissions are about 2% lower than the 1990 level.
And EIA said emissions of exotic gases such as hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons, and sulfur hexafluoride grew by more than 10% in 1996. It said that while the global warming potential of these gases is high, their emission levels are still very low.
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