Per capita carbon dioxide emissions vary dramatically among U.S. states, from a high of 76.5 mT CO2 in Alaska to a low of 12.2 in Vermont. This article seeks to identify the underlying causes and possible policy interventions.
Using data on energy-related CO2 emissions and correcting for interstate electricity sales, we find several factors can lead to higher emissions: Sparsely populated states with low gasoline prices and little public transportation use have high transportation emissions. States where oil is a common heating fuel, the average income is high, and the climate is cold have high emissions from residential heating. States that generate much of their power from coal and have a hot, humid climate and low electricity prices have high residential electricity emissions. The key policy variables we identify are the prices of gasoline and electricity, and public transportation use.
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