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Global Climate Change Digest
A Guide to Information on Greenhouse Gases and Ozone Depletion
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FROM VOLUME 10, NUMBER 6, JUNE 1997

REPORTS...
ENERGY & EMISSION ANALYSES & TRENDS: UNITED STATES

Item #d97jun67

Methane Emissions from the Natural Gas Industry, 1997, (US EPA). Prepared by the Gas Res. Inst. and the U.S. Environ. Protect. Agency.

Confirms the suspicion that gains in the reduction of CO₂ emissions from switching from coal or oil to natural gas are not significantly offset by methane leakage and emission from natural gas industry operations. However, natural gas leakage and emissions in the U.S. are higher than previously thought by a factor of nearly two; 37% come from transmission and storage, 26% from distribution, and 12% from processing. An increase in natural gas production would be expected to use newer, lower-emitting technologies.

Item #d97jun68

Annual Energy Outlook 1997, Dec. 1996 (EIA/DOE; US GPO). Also see the EIA's Web site: WWW: http://www.eia.doe.gov.

Energy-related CO₂ emissions could increase by 14.8% over 1990 levels, an estimate that is somewhat higher than in the 1996 report because lower costs for energy have resulted in higher projected energy use and lower penetration of renewables. By 2015, energy-related CO₂ emissions could increase by 34% over 1990 levels. These projections indicate that the U.S. may not be able to stabilize greenhouse gas emissions at 1990 levels by 2000.

Item #d97jun69

Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States 1995, 1996 (EIA). For the full text see this Web site: http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/1605/frntend.html.

For 1995 compared to 1994, the U.S. emitted 0.8% more CO₂, 1.8% more nitrous oxide, and 11% more HFCs and PFCs. Emissions of CFCs declined, while those of HCFCs were relatively constant. Data on methane emissions were not available at the time of publication. Although CO₂ emissions have continued to grow, they are growing more slowly than the U.S. economy, population and overall energy consumption.

Item #d97jun70

Voluntary Reporting of Greenhouse Gases 1995, July 1996 (EIA). To obtain a CD ROM or other materials call 800 803 5182, or send e-mail to infoghg@eia.doe.gov.

More than 100 companies, accounting for about 23% of U.S. CO₂ emissions, reported about 645 projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. In this first year of reporting, 12 of the 15 largest electric utilities were among the 96 filing reports on projects that included improved plant efficiencies, cogeneration, and the use of non-fossil fuels including nuclear power. Other projects included methane recovery, urban forestry, and tree planting.