Carbon dioxide emissions from the U.S. power sector have declined 28% since 2005

Eli,

This from the EIA (US Energy Information Administration)

U.S. electric power sector carbon dioxide emissions (CO2) have declined 28% since 2005 because of slower electricity demand growth and changes in the mix of fuels used to generate electricity. EIA has calculated that CO2 emissions from the electric power sector totaled 1,744 million metric tons (MMmt) in 2017, the lowest level since 1987.

The graph accompanying the story:

The biggest drop is from a less energy intensive economy, then fuel switching: from coal to natural gas. And the technology behind the switch is hydraulic fracturing which results in low natural gas prices relative to coal.

One of the great dilemmas faced by those most worried by global warming is  the best way to address higher carbon emissions  is to  encourage hydraulic fracturing. Gas has half the carbon emissions per BTU as coal. Cheaper, cleaner, less carbon. What's not to like?

In some ways it's like the plastic bag ban. My town is contemplating a plastic bag ban. They admit paper is worse for the environment but justify the ban by hoping consumers will opt for reusable bags. This despite ample evidence consumers do not desire reusable bags. So the bag banners are willing to accept more pollution to satisfy their quixotic war on plastic bags. And those, like Andrew Cuomo, are willing to accept more carbon in order to justify tilting at the fracturing windmill.

It's a shame the party of science ignores the science and rejects the answer to their concerns about carbon.

Bill