article thumbnail

EIA: US rail traffic reflects increase in crude oil production, decrease in coal use; coal still dominant

Green Car Congress

The record increase in US crude oil production during 2012 and the significant decline in coal use for domestic electricity generation were reflected in the movement of those two commodities by rail last year, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Coal accounted for 37.2% Click to enlarge.

Coal 210
article thumbnail

EIA: US electricity generation from coal and natural gas both increased with summer heat

Green Car Congress

In August 2012, coal produced 39% of US electricity, up from a low of 32% in April 2012, when the natural gas share of generation equaled that of coal. The August coal share of generation is still notably lower than the 50% annual average over the 1990-2010 period. Other plants use PRB coal transported by rail.

Coal 236
article thumbnail

EIA Projects 5% Decrease in Fossil-Fuel-Based CO2 Emissions in 2009; Little Change in Emissions from Gasoline

Green Car Congress

In its current version of the Short Term Energy Outlook ( STEO ), the US Energy Information Administration projects a 5% decline in fossil-fuel-based CO 2 emissions in 2009. The STEO projects that petroleum CO 2 emissions will decline by 4% in 2009, primarily due to declines in transportation sector consumption. Natural Gas.

2009 220
article thumbnail

US EIA Reports Record-setting 7% Overall Decline in US Carbon Dioxide Emissions in 2009; Transport Emissions Down 4.1%, Lowest Percentage Reduction of the End-UseSectors

Green Car Congress

Factors contributing to the 7% drop in emissions in 2009. While emissions have declined in three out of the last four years, EIA noted, 2009 was “ exceptional ”. In addition to a decline in gross domestic product (GDP) in 2009 of 2.4%, the energy intensity of the economy (energy consumed per dollar of GDP) declined 2.4%

2009 239
article thumbnail

EIA reports 5.8% year-to-year decline in US GHG emissions in 2009; 4.3% drop in transportation sector although vehicle miles travelled increased

Green Car Congress

VMT rose slightly in 2009 while emissions from gasoline and diesel fuel declined, a result EIA attributes as a likely result of more efficient vehicles and increased consumption of biofuels. Total US greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions were 6,576 million metric tons carbon dioxide equivalent (MMTCO 2 e) in 2009, a decrease of 5.8%

2009 199
article thumbnail

EIA: new drilling technology revitalizes Powder River Basin oil production

Green Car Congress

The coal-rich Powder River Basin is also experiencing a turnaround in oil production, according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA). Production has rebounded from a low of 38,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) in 2009 to 78,000 bbl/d during first-quarter 2014. Click to enlarge.

Oil 225
article thumbnail

MIT Energy Initiative Publishes Report on Reducing CO2 Emissions from Existing Coal Plants

Green Car Congress

The MIT Energy Initiative has released a new report on reducing carbon dioxide emissions from existing coal plants. There is no credible pathway toward prudent greenhouse gas stabilization targets without CO 2 emissions reduction from existing coal power plants. We may not see a strong CO 2 price signal for many years.

Coal 150