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U.S. ENERGY INFORMATION ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON DC 20585

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 6, 2009

EIA Forecasts 5.9 Percent Decline in U.S. Carbon Dioxide Emissions in 2009

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) today released updated energy projections for 2009 that imply a 5.9 percent reduction in U.S. carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from fossil fuels from the 2008 level.

“Several factors contribute to a projected reduction of nearly 6 percent in U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuel use in 2009, primarily associated with the economic downturn,” stated EIA Administrator Richard Newell. “Seventy percent of the expected decline—an estimated 242 million metric tons—is from reduced coal and natural gas use in industry and buildings, substitution of natural gas for coal in electric power, and an increase in carbon-free electricity,” said Newell. “The remaining 30 percent of the emissions decline—totaling 102 million metric tons—is due to reduced consumption of jet fuel and distillate fuel oil, including diesel fuel and heating oil.”

EIA reported its latest energy and CO2 emissions projections for 2009 and 2010 in the Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO), released today (technical details are provided in the STEO Supplement Understanding the Decline in Carbon Dioxide Emissions in 2009).

Understanding the Decline in Carbon Dioxide Emissions in 2009 can be found at:

http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/steo/pub/special/pdf/2009_sp_06.pdf  

The report described in this press release was prepared by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy. By law, EIA's data, analyses, and forecasts are independent of approval by any other officer or employee of the United States Government. The views in the report and press release therefore should not be construed as representing those of the Department or the Administration.


EIA Press Contact: Jonathan Cogan, (202) 586‑8719, jcogan@eia.doe.gov

EIA-2009-12

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