Dive Brief:

• U.S. carbon dioxide emissions increased about 2% last year, after falling for several years, according to the Energy Information Administration.
• Utilities and generators burned more coal last year compared with earlier years, driving up emissions levels. EIA expects emissions to be flat the next two years.
• Even with the increase, carbon emissions were about 10% below 2005 levels. The Obama administration has set a goal of cutting the emissions by 17% below 2005 levels by 2020.

Dive Insight:

Developing a national plan to deal with carbon emissions is one of the biggest utility issues for this year. The Environmental Protection Agency is developing new standards to control carbon from new and existing power plants. Every utility, either directly or through trade associations, will be involved in the debate. Congress will undoubtedly debate bills that would limit EPA's authority to regulate carbon. The courts will be involved. The EIA finding that carbon emissions increased last year will be one more data point in the debate.