BILLINGS – Carbon dioxide emissions rose by more than 11 percent in Montana last decade as the state continued to have one of the highest per-capita greenhouse gas emission rates in the country.
The Energy Information Administration says in a new report that energy-related carbon dioxide emissions in Montana totaled 34.9 million tons in 2010 That translates into more than 35 tons per resident.
Total U.S. carbon dioxide emissions fell 4 percent during the same period.
Only five states had higher per-capita emission rates — Wyoming, North Dakota, Alaska, West Virginia and Louisiana.
Montana is a net exporter of energy, meaning most of its electricity production is consumed by residents in other states.
Carbon dioxide is considered by scientists to be a major contributor to climate change.
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