{
  "id": "RL34272",
  "type": "CRS Report",
  "typeId": "REPORTS",
  "number": "RL34272",
  "active": false,
  "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
  "versions": [
    {
      "source": "EveryCRSReport.com",
      "id": 341537,
      "date": "2007-12-05",
      "retrieved": "2016-04-07T03:55:05.664237",
      "title": "State Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Comparison and Analysis",
      "summary": "Instituting policies to manage or reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions would likely impact different states differently. Understanding these differences may provide for a more informed debate regarding potential policy approaches. However, multiple factors play a role in determining impacts, including alternative design elements of a GHG emissions reduction program, the availability and relative cost of mitigation options, and the regulated entities\u2019 abilities to pass compliance costs on to consumers.\nThree primary variables drive a state\u2019s human-related GHG emission levels: population, per capita income, and the GHG emissions intensity. GHG emissions intensity is a performance measure. In this report, GHG intensity is a measure of GHG emissions from sources within a state compared with a state\u2019s economic output (gross state product, GSP). The GHG emissions intensity driver stands apart as the main target for climate change mitigation policy, because public policy generally considers population and income growth to be socially positive.\nThe 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\u2019s energy intensity and the carbon content of its energy use.\nEnergy intensity measures the amount of energy a state uses to generate its overall economic output (measured by its GSP). Several underlying factors may impact a state\u2019s energy intensity: a state\u2019s economic structure, personal transportation use in a state (measured in vehicle miles traveled per person), and public policies regarding energy efficiency.\nThe carbon content of energy use in a state is determined by a state\u2019s portfolio of energy sources. States that utilize a high percentage of coal, for example, will have a relatively high carbon content of energy use, compared to states with a lower dependence on coal. An additional factor is whether a state is a net exporter or importer of electricity, because CO2 emissions are attributed to electricity-producing states, but the electricity is used (and counted) in the consuming state.\nBetween 1990 and 2000, the United States reduced its GHG intensity by 1.6% annually. Assuming that population and per capita income continue to grow as expected, the United States would need to reduce its GHG intensity at the rate of 3% per year in order to halt the annual growth in GHG emissions. Therefore, achieving reductions (or negative growth) in GHG emissions would necessitate further declines in GHG intensity.",
      "type": "CRS Report",
      "typeId": "REPORTS",
      "active": false,
      "formats": [
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          "format": "HTML",
          "encoding": "utf-8",
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/RL34272",
          "sha1": "886ed85aa9a978d9e136ef94cc855bceb156bfad",
          "filename": "files/20071205_RL34272_886ed85aa9a978d9e136ef94cc855bceb156bfad.html",
          "images": null
        },
        {
          "format": "PDF",
          "encoding": null,
          "url": "http://www.crs.gov/Reports/pdf/RL34272",
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          "filename": "files/20071205_RL34272_4f924217ddad42fc6056465b61bcca3dbac9951b.pdf",
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        }
      ],
      "topics": []
    }
  ],
  "topics": [
    "Energy Policy"
  ]
}