Research firm Rhodium Group determined that U.S. emissions fell 1.9 percent compared to 2022 and were 17.2 percent lower than they were in 2005.
At the same time, the American economy grew by 2.4 percent in 2023.
Rhodium Group noted that this was the first time since before the coronavirus pandemic that the U.S. saw both economic growth and an emissions decline.
The analysis attributed the emissions drop to a mild winter — meaning less energy used for heating —to less electricity coming from coal power.
Power sector emissions dropped 8 percent while residential and commercial building emissions dropped 4 percent.
Emissions from transportation actually rose by 1.6 percent, though fuel consumption was still lower than it was before the pandemic.
Welcome to The Hill’s Energy & Environment newsletter, we’re Rachel Frazin and Zack Budryk — keeping you up to speed on the policies impacting everything from oil and gas to new supply chains.
A major storm brought high winds and pounding rains to much of the eastern United States on Tuesday, leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power into Wednesday and delaying commutes for hours.
Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) said a bipartisan “grand bargain” would likely be necessary for energy permitting reform at an energy industry conference Wednesday morning.
Honda unveiled two concept electric vehicles (EVs) during CES in Las Vegas, part of the company’s new line of EVs that will go into production in 2026.
The Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will hold a hearing Thursdayon federal EV incentives. Energy and Treasury deputies David Turk and Wally Adeyemo are set to testify.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a hearing on proposals for the Water Resources Development Act.
What We’re Reading
News we’ve flagged from other outlets touching on energy issues, the environment and other topics:
Biden’s aides weigh climate test for natural gas exports (Politico)
A band of House conservatives tanked a procedural vote Wednesday in a rebellion against the spending deal Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) struck with Democrats, which members of the right flank have sharply criticized. Read more
Republican senators are slapping down President Trump’s claim that people convicted of Jan. 6-related crimes are “hostages” who should be pardoned or set free by President Biden or a future president. Read more
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