US Energy-related CO2 Emissions Decreased by 3% in 2023
U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions decreased by 3%, or about 134 million metric tons (MMmt), in 2023 compared to the prior year, according to the EIA’s U.S. Energy-Related Carbon Dioxide Emissions report.
Although emissions decreased across many sectors, more than 80% of U.S. energy-related CO2 emissions reductions in 2023 occurred in the electric power sector. These reductions were caused largely by reduced coal-fired electricity generation, as natural gas and solar power made up a larger portion of the generation mix.
Emissions also decreased in the residential and commercial sectors by a combined 6%, to about 561 MMmt, due to milder weather reducing energy demand.
Major US Solar Manufacturers Call for Strict New Panel Tariffs
First Solar and Qcells, the two largest American solar panel manufacturers, have joined a coalition of domestic suppliers calling for new tariffs on below-cost and state-subsidized panels imported from Cambodia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.
The coalition, the American Alliance for Solar Manufacturing Trade Committee, filed petitions with the U.S. International Trade Commission and the Department of Commerce. The cases are intended to spur an investigation into the trade practices of manufacturers in those four countries and how they are harming the U.S. solar industry. The other petitioners include Convalt Energy, Meyer Burger, Mission Solar, REC Silicon and Swift Solar.
The coalition is accusing the four countries selling products in the U.S. for less than in its home market or less than its full cost of production.
More: Canary Media
Report: US Seeing Rise in Climate-related Power Outages
High winds, rains, winter storms and tropical cyclones including hurricanes accounted for 80% of all U.S. power interruptions over the last 20 years, a new report from nonprofit research group Climate Central shows.
Over the last decade, severe storm outages increased by 74% compared with the decade prior.
Texas had the most weather-related outages, followed by Michigan, California and North Carolina.
More: The Guardian
