Transportation Now Largest Contributor to Carbon Emissions in USA, for 1st Time in 40 Years

After 40 or so years away from the “gold medal” position, the US transportation sector has once again emerged to claim the mantle of being the top contributor of carbon emissions in the country, according to a new report from the US Public Interest Research Group (US PIRG).

What this means is that the transportation sector is now responsible for more annual carbon emissions in the US than the utility (electric power), industrial, residential, or commercial sectors.

The new report cites data provided by the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) detailing the last 12 months of carbon emissions for the various sectors.

Green Car Reports states that the “12-month total covering May 2015 to April 2016 (the most recent available) shows transportation producing the highest levels of carbon emissions.  That was also the case for the 12-month periods ending in February 2016 and March 2016, US PIRG notes.  The group attributes this to growth in transportation-related emissions, but also to decreases in other areas, such as electric power.”

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