Economic recovery expected to increase U.S. emissions.

• Position: EYE ON EARTH - Brief article

U.S. carbon dioxide emissions are set to grow 0.3 percent annually through 2035, assuming that no additional policies for carbon mitigation are implemented, the U.S. Department of Energy reported in December. The Energy Information Administration's (EIA's) Annual Energy Outlook concludes that present energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives alone will not enable the United States to meet its climate targets.

Due largely to the economic recession, U.S. fossil fuel-related carbon dioxide emissions decreased more than 6 percent in 2009, the EIA said. The United States invested an historic US$80 billion in clean energy projects in 2009 as part of its economic recovery act. In addition, several states chose to substitute natural gas and renewable generation for proposed coal-fired power plants because of uncertainties about future carbon regulation, the long-term cost of coal, and a heightened grassroots campaign to fight new coal...