U.S. Power Plant Emissions Fall to Near 1990 Levels, Decoupling from GDP Growth

The economy is growing as carbon dioxide emissions fall and renewable energy rises.  A new report examines the carbon footprint of the top electricity generators.

Emissions from the nation's power generators have been on the decline, even as the economy has grown—providing evidence that contradicts pro-coal arguments promoted by the Trump administration.

A report released Wednesday by the consulting firm M.J. Bradley & Associates finds that climate-warming carbon dioxide emissions from the country's power generators declined between 2005 and 2015 as the companies shifted away from coal and toward renewable energy sources and natural gas.  Preliminary data from 2016 suggests that emissions dropped further last year, putting them at or near the same level they were in 1990. Meanwhile, the report notes, gross domestic product (GDP) has grown steadily over the same period.

"The decoupling of economic growth from emissions growth is really encouraging," said Dan Bakal, director of electric power for Boston-based sustainability advocacy group, Ceres, which sponsored the study.  "You can achieve these reductions while growing the economy, and trying to reverse these trends would be an uphill battle."

Read more at U.S. Power Plant Emissions Fall to Near 1990 Levels, Decoupling from GDP Growth