The U.S. Energy Administration confirms a development that first got teased back in April—natural gas is now responsible for more carbon emissions that coal.
Marie Cusick reports: "Carbon dioxide emissions from natural gas are expected to exceed those from coal for the first time in more than 40 years, according to data released Wednesday from the U.S. Energy Information Administration."
"The EIA projects energy-related carbon emissions from natural gas will be 10 percent higher than those from coal this year," to be exact.
The report shares the latest in a series of developments in the pollution paradigm. In June 2016 the news was that transportation had passed energy as the largest source of carbon emissions in the U.S. economy. The possibility of natural gas emissions surpassing coal emissions first broke in April, provoking concern about methane emissions.
Another key point made by Cusick regarding natural gas use: "Although natural gas is much less carbon-intensive than coal, Americans are using a lot more of it."
FULL STORY: Carbon emissions from natural gas expected to surpass coal
Making Natural Gas Power Plants Cleaner
Carbon capture and storage has long been associated with coal-burning power plants. Calpine Corp. hopes to apply the controversial technology to existing natural gas power plants, beginning with a pilot project to start this month in the Bay Area.
U.S. Carbon Emissions Creep Back Up
After years of declining carbon-dioxide emissions in the U.S., and growing hope in the country's ability to meet President Obama's emission reduction targets, preliminary data indicates emissions from energy sources increased 2% last year
How the U.S. Became an Unlikely Leader in Reducing Carbon Emissions
Emissions of CO2 in the U.S. have fallen almost 13 percent since 2007 - "perhaps the biggest decline among industrial countries." Rather than the result of an enlightened policy shift, the drop has resulted from market forces, says Eduardo Porter.
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Chicago to Turn High-Rise Offices into Housing
Four commercial buildings in the Chicago Loop have been approved for redevelopment into housing in a bid to revitalize the city’s downtown post-pandemic.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
New Park Opens in the Santa Clarita Valley
The City of Santa Clarita just celebrated the grand opening of its 38th park, the 10.5-acre Skyline Ranch Park.
U.S. Supreme Court: California's Impact Fees May Violate Takings Clause
A California property owner took El Dorado County to state court after paying a traffic impact fee he felt was exorbitant. He lost in trial court, appellate court, and the California Supreme Court denied review. Then the U.S. Supreme Court acted.
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