Wind power jumped from .70 quadrillion BTU (British Thermal Unit) in 2009 to .92 quads in 2010, and since most of it generates electricity, it can reduce coal's use, according to the federally funded laboratory. It says biomass energy use rose from 3.88 quads to 4.29 quads, driven largely by ethanol.
"We are still seeing the capacity additions from a wind energy boom come online," said A.J. Simon, an energy systems analyst at Lawrence Livermore who develops energy flow charts using data from the Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration. "And renewable fuel mandates are driving the consumption of ethanol by cars and trucks."
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Still, with overall energy use rising from 94.6 quads in 2009 to 98 quads in 2010, Simon's analysis shows that the USA used more fossil fuels and its greenhouse gas emissions increased. This week, two reports warned about the climate change dangers of the world's continuing reliance on fossil fuels.
Greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide and methane continued to rise in Earth's atmosphere last year, and those attributed to human activities jumped 29% since 1990, according to an annual worldwide measurement taken by the federal government's National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
Also this week, in its 2011 edition of the World Energy Outlook, the International Energy Agency warned that the world will lock itself into an insecure, inefficient and high-carbon energy system unless it makes bold changes.
"Growth, prosperity and rising population will inevitably push up energy needs over the coming decades," agency Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven said in announcing the report's findings. "The Fukushima nuclear accident, the turmoil in parts of the Middle East and North Africa and a sharp rebound in energy demand in 2010 which pushed CO2 emissions to a record high, highlight the urgency and the scale of the challenge."
The Lawrence Livermore analysis offers some bright news. It says that although U.S. carbon emissions rose last year, Americans' carbon footprint has decreased over the past few years since its peak in 2009. It attributes this recent decrease to reduced energy consumption and a shift from coal to natural gas in the electric sector and adoption of renewable energy resources.
Wendy Koch has been a reporter and editor at USA TODAY since 1998, covering politics and social issues. She's begun a quest to build the most eco-friendly home her budget allows. She'll share her experience and give you tips for greening your home. More about Wendy