Between 2005 and 2023, per capita CO₂ emissions from energy consumption decreased in every US state, with a 30% drop overall. The decline was attributed to reduced coal use in the electric power sector, replaced by natural gas and renewables like wind and solar.

Maryland saw the largest decline in per capita emissions, down 49% by 2023. The state achieved the lowest per capita CO₂ emissions nationwide at 7.8 tonnes, mostly due to a shift from coal to natural gas and increased solar and wind generation.

In 2023, the transportation sector was the top source of CO₂ emissions in many coastal states, while the electric power sector led in 18 states. Some states like Pennsylvania, Alabama, and Wyoming are net electricity suppliers, relying heavily on coal.

The industrial sector was the top emitter in Texas, Louisiana, Alaska, and Iowa, with biofuels playing a significant role. Just five states accounted for over half of all US industrial emissions in 2023.

EIA’s ‘Short-Term Energy Outlook’ projects a 1% rise in total US CO₂ emissions in 2025, attributed to increased fossil fuel use for oil production and electricity generation. The long-term trend shows a decline in emissions, driven by shifts in energy sources and consumption patterns.

Read more at Yahoo Finance: US states record decline in per capita carbon emissions, reports EIA