The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is seeking public comment on a draft annual report that analyzes sources of greenhouse gas emissions. The report, ‘Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2006,’ will be open for public comment for 30 days after the Federal Register notice is published.
The major finding in this year's draft report is that overall emissions during 2006 decreased by 1.5% from the previous year, according to the EPA. This decrease was due primarily to a reduction in carbon dioxide emissions associated with fuel and electricity consumption, the EPA adds. Overall, emissions have grown by 14.1% from 1990 to 2006, while the U.S. economy has grown by 59% over the same period.
EPA prepares the annual report in collaboration with experts from multiple federal agencies. After responding to public comments, the U.S. government will submit the final inventory report to the Secretariat of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, fulfilling its annual requirement as a party to this international treaty on climate change.
For more information, go to epa.gov/climatechange/emissions/usinventoryreport.html.
