U.S. Carbon emissions predicted to fall to 1994 levels

Greenhouse gas emissions in the United States are predicted to go down in 2015, according to The Guardian. The likely reduction is linked to the planned shutdowns of many coal-fired power plants as other green energy pushes nationwide come to bear.

New mercury emissions standards are coming in to force, as well as a clean power plan from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that looks to contain coal-fired plants even further. Low oil prices may also keep emissions down, as they may inhibit industrial exploration for natural gas.

Energy experts say the emissions estimates are a sign of structural changes in the way the U.S. generates its energy, which they believe could live on for decades. The demise of coal power is one example of those changes, as the EPA is looking to restrict all but the most efficient coal plants in its new plan.

Top image: Carbon emissions in the U.S. are expected to look like they did 20 years ago.