The U.S. Department of Energy's energy outlook report for 2015 estimates that electricity generation in the United States will increase by nearly 25% by 2040. Both the amount and percentage of electricity generated by burning coal, however, will drop, as more and more electricity is generated by burning natural gas and exploiting renewable energy sources. Which is an expected consequence of this shift?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

While burning natural gas and using renewable energy sources will still produce carbon dioxide emissions, the decrease in the amount of electricity generated from coal burning will lower the overall rate of increase in carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere. Therefore, carbon dioxide levels will still increase, but at a lower rate than if coal burning continued to be the major source of electricity.

The US Department of Energy's Energy Outlook Report for 2015 Estimates