Per capita CO₂ emissions fell in every state between 2005 and 2023. (EIA)
Nationwide, total energy-related CO₂ emissions dropped 20% while population grew 14%, driving a 30% decline in per-person emissions. The shift was driven mainly by coal plant retirements and a surge in natural gas and renewables generation.
Transportation is the top source of CO₂ emissions from energy consumption in 28 states, overtaking power generation in many coastal regions as coal use declined. In coal-heavy states, the electric power sector remains the dominant source.
