Energy-related CO2 emissions in the U.S. are expected to decline annually through 2021, according to the country's Energy Information Administration (EIA) on Friday.
In the U.S., energy-related CO2 emissions decreased year-on-year by 2.1% in 2019, and are forecast to fall by 2% in 2020 and further decline by another 1.5% in 2021.
If the figures for 2020 and 2021 are realized, next year will mark the third consecutive year of decline in energy-related CO2 emissions for the U.S.
'With the forecast declines, the 2021 level of fewer than 5 billion metric tons would be the first time emissions have been at that level since 1991,' the EIA statement on Friday said.
The administration said it expects petroleum-related CO2 emissions to be flat in 2020, but decline slightly in 2021.
For natural gas, CO2 emissions are anticipated to rise by 1.4% this year, but fall by 1.7% next year because of warmer winter weather and less demand for natural gas for heating.
The EIA said coal-related CO2 emissions are estimated to decrease by 10.8% in 2020, and fall by another 2.7% in 2021 because of low natural gas prices.
'EIA expects that less carbon intensive and more efficient natural gas-fired generation will replace coal-fired generation and that generation from renewable energy—especially wind and solar—will increase,' the statement said.
By Ovunc Kutlu
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr