EPA Publishes National U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory

WASHINGTON--April 18, 2011: *EPA Publishes National U.S. Greenhouse Gas Inventory 
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has released the 16th annual U.S. greenhouse
 gas inventory. The final report shows overall emissions during 2009 decreased by
 6.1 percent from the previous year. This downward trend was attributed to a decrease
 in fuel and electricity consumption across all U.S. economic sectors. 

Total emissions of the six main greenhouse gases in 2009 were equivalent to 
6,633 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. These gases include carbon dioxide,
 methane, nitrous oxide, hydrofluorocarbons, perfluorocarbons and sulfur
 hexafluoride. The report indicates that overall emissions have grown by more
 than 7.3 percent from 1990 to 2009. Emissions in 2009 represent the lowest total
 U.S. annual GHG emissions since 1995. These numbers reflect the most up to date
 data at the time of publication. 

The Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2009 tracks annual
 greenhouse gas emissions at the national level and presents historical emissions
 from 1990 to 2009. The inventory also calculates carbon dioxide emissions that
 are removed from the atmosphere by "sinks," e.g., through the uptake of carbon
 by forests, vegetation and soils. 

This inventory, prepared in collaboration with federal agencies, is the latest
 submitted by the United States to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework
 Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC sets an overall global framework
 for nations to address climate change. The final report takes into consideration
 comments received from stakeholders across the country. 

More information on the greenhouse gas inventory report:  
EPA Climate Change