AP IMPACT: CO2 emissions in US drop to 20-year low

PITTSBURGH (AP) ? In a surprising turnaround, the government says the amount of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere in the U.S. has fallen to its lowest level in 20 years.

And federal officials say the biggest reason is cheap and plentiful natural gas. It's leading many power plant operators to stop using dirtier-burning coal.

Some leading climate scientists say that's a reason for cautious optimism.

The question is whether the shift from coal to natural gas is one bright spot in a big, gloomy picture, or a potentially larger trend. Coal and energy use are still growing rapidly in other countries, and CO2 levels are still rising globally.

Moreover, environmentalists have serious doubts about the net benefits of natural gas, which has its own drawbacks.

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/ap-impact-co2-emissions-us-drop-20-low-174616030--finance.html

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