Well the numbers are all over, depending on what you look at. The number you quoted, which references EU report that I believe quotes CO2 emissions due to direct fossil fuel emission, and doesn't account for product use (which the US outsources to other countries, primarily China) and indirect emissions.

I'm sure the numbers vary depending on what middle ground you choose. Here's another number that's higher than yours or mine - 48t CO2/yr: http://css.umich.edu/factsheets/carbon-footprint-factsheet

Atleast the different numbers I see are off by much less than the GP's claim.