EPA reports positive news on vehicle emissions, efficiency front

For the first time, the Environmental Protection Agency is included carbon dioxide emissions information in its annual report, "Light-Duty Automotive Technology, Carbon Dioxide Emissions and Fuel Economy Trends: 1975 through 2009."

The news is relatively positive: Not only has fuel efficiency increased for the fifth consecutive year -- to an average of 21.1 miles per gallon compared with 21 miles per gallon -- the agency reports that average carbon dioxide emissions have decreased since 2005. Since 2004, average carbon dioxide emissions have been reduced by 39 grams per mile, which is a reduction of about 8 percent. This reverses a trend from 1987 to 2004, when carbon dioxide emissions increased and fuel efficiency decline, according to the EPA.

Here's the trends report.

Try to tell me this is a bad thing.