The EPA in its annual report said today that overall U.S. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions declined in 2011 versus the previous year.

In a release the EPA attributed the decrease to “reduced emissions from electricity generation, improvements in fuel efficiency in vehicles with reductions in miles traveled, and year-to-year changes in the prevailing weather.”

Sen. Brian Schatz, who has pushed carbon pricing legislation, said:

“The EPA report showing a 1.6 percent decrease in greenhouse gas emissions is good news for our country and the state of Hawaii, but we must do more to address climate change.  President Obama and the EPA have taken important steps to reduce the pollution that causes climate change…  

“I look forward to working with EPA, my colleagues in the Congress, and local officials to make significant strides in decreasing greenhouse gas emissions that lead to sea level rise and extreme weather, and I welcome feedback on the draft bill.”

— Kery Murakami