US Greenhouse Emissions Dip; Trump Policies Put Future Cuts In Doubt

"WASHINGTON - U.S. emissions linked to climate change fell last year on a record drop in coal-fired power generation, but further declines are unlikely without rapid policy changes, according to an estimate released on Tuesday.

Emissions fell 2.1% in 2019 as coal-fired electricity output dropped 18% to the lowest level since 1975, according to the estimate here by independent researcher Rhodium Group, which analyzed preliminary U.S. energy and economic data.

It was a change of direction from 2018, when emissions rose between 1.5% and 2.5% due to increased heating demand and a robust economy that pushed planes and trucks to guzzle fuel, according to the group’s estimate."

Timothy Gardner reports for Reuters January 7, 2020.

Source: Reuters, 01/07/2020