U.S. energy-related carbon dioxide emissions increased in 2010 by 3.9 percent over the previous year, the largest percentage increase since 1988, according to a new analysis released Thursday by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Springfield City Water, Light and Power plant burns coal and biomass in Illinois. [CWLP]

U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from the consumption of fossil fuels were 5,638 million metric tons carbon dioxide in 2010, according to the EIA report. U.S. carbon dioxide emissions have grown at an average annual rate of 0.6 percent since 1990.

The report attributed the increase in emissions to a three percent increase in the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In addition, the energy intensity of the U.S. economy, measured as energy consumed per dollar of GDP, increased by 0.7 percent in 2010

There was also a slight increase in the carbon dioxide intensity of U.S. energy supply in 2010, which is in contrast to a drop of 2.4 percent in 2009. Consumption of coal, the most carbon-intensive fossil fuel, rose by 6 percent in 2010 after falling by 12 percent in 2009, according to the report.

The EIA is the statistical and analytical agency within the U.S. Department of Energy.

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