According to research conducted by the US Public Interest Research Group ( U.S. PIRG ) transportation is the major contributor to carbon emissions in the country for the first time in over 40 years . Data from the 12 months to April 2010 showed transportation being responsible for more emissions than the electric power , industrial , residential , and commercial sectors . Transportation-related sources now account for the largest share of U.S. carbon emissions. One of the main reasons for the change is probably that coal power plants are being decommissioned in the US and replaced with natural gas and renewable energy sources .
According to research conducted by the US Public Interest Research Group ( U.S. PIRG ) transportation is the major contributor to carbon emissions in the country for the first time in over 40 years . Data from the 12 months to April 2010 showed transportation being responsible for more emissions than the electric power , industrial , residential , and commercial sectors . One of the main reasons for the change is probably that coal power plants are being decommissioned in the US and replaced with natural gas and renewable energy sources .