Study shows Austin area highway transportation emissions slightly decrease
Air Quality, Austin-Round Rock MSA No Comments »
A Brookings Institution study on the carbon footprints of 100 American metropolitan areas showed a slight decrease in highway emissions in the Austin-Round Rock metropolitan statistical area (MSA). The study found that the amount of carbon dioxide from highway transportation in the Austin area decreased 1% from 2000-2005. While the study ranked Austin a less-than-favorable 54th in carbon emissions from cars and trucks, the decrease is notable considering that according to the Texas Transportation Institute Urban Mobility Study, Austin’s highway daily vehicle miles traveled (DVMT) increased by 6.7% in that same same time period.
In that same time period, residential energy usage increased 33% per capita, placing Austin 55th among the 100 metro areas analyzed. Austin Energy officials noted that it relies more heavily on renewable energy sources than other Texas energy providers, and that total residential electric use increased 6% from 2000-2005 versus an increase of 12% in the number of residential customers.
Austin ranks low in emissions study - Austin American-Statesman
Shrinking the Carbon Footprint of Metropolitan America - Brookings Institution