Report blames coal-fired plants for increases in carbon dioxide

CHAMPAIGN (AP) - A report released Thursday by an Illinois environmental group blames coal-fired power plants for nearly half the country's increase in carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels between 2000 and 2004. Carbon dioxide emissions increased 22 percent in Illinois and 18 percent across the country during that time, according to the report from Environment Illinois and the U.S. Public Interest Research Group. The report, which is based on federal data, blames coal-fired power generation for 42 percent of the nationwide increase. "Unfortunately, in Illinois and across the country our emissions are rising each year," Environment Illinois spokesman David Kanof said. "The good news is that we have the technology at our fingertips to c