State Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Comparison and Analysis
A Congressional Research Service-produced report measures each state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) intensity. GHG intensity is a measure of GHG emissions from sources within a state compared with a state's economic output (gross state product, GSP). According to the report, the intensity of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions largely determines overall GHG intensity, because CO2 emissions account for 85% of the GHG emissions in the United States. As 98% of U.S. CO2 emissions are energy-related, the primary factors that shape CO2 emissions intensity are a state's energy intensity and the carbon content of its energy use. Energy intensity measures the amount of energy a state uses to generate its overall economic output (measured by its GSP).
This Summary Last Modified On: 4/22/2011