According to Energy Information Administration data, US energy related CO2 emissions increased by 3.9% in 2010, the biggest jump in more than 20 years, as economic activity began to rebound after the recession.

Total energy related emissions were 5.6 million tonnes, an increase of about 200 million tonnes from 2009. Although the increase was the largest percentage jump since 1988, emissions are still 6% below the 2005 level as the recession has caused a substantial decline in CO2, including a 7.1% drop in 2009.

Mr Howard Gruenspecht acting EIA administrator said that "The 3.9% increase in emissions in 2010 was primarily driven by the rebound from the economic downturn experienced in 2008 and 2009."

According to EIA, US gross domestic product grew 3% in 2010. The energy intensity of the economy increased by 0.7% and the CO2 intensity of the energy supply ticked up by 0.1%.

Electricity demand increased by 4.2% in 2010, leading to a 5.2% increase in emissions. The CO2 intensity of the electricity supply increased 0.9pc as coal use jumped by 6%. Coal accounted for 56% of the increase in generation. Its share of total generation increased slightly from 45.7% in 2009 to 46.1% in 2010. Natural gas accounted for 36% of the increased generation, with other sources picking up the remaining 8%.

EIA said that non carbon sources of energy were a mixed story in 2010. Overall, non carbon sources grew by 1.2%, but their share of total generation declined from 30% to 29%.

Despite the significant increase in emissions, EIA's long term outlook calls for more modest growth of an average of 0.2% per annum because of growing use of renewable and natural gas, efficiency improvements and slower growth in electricity demand.

(Sourced from www.argusmedia.com)