An Energy Overview - Domestic Energy Usage

Domestic Production

The total domestic energy production of the United States—the amount of fossil fuels and other forms of energy that was mined, pumped, or otherwise originated in the United States—has more than doubled since 1949, rising from 31.7 quadrillion Btu (British thermal units) in 1949 to 70.5 quadrillion Btu in 2003. (See Table 1.1 and Figure 1.3.) One quadrillion Btu equals the energy produced by approximately 170 million barrels of crude oil. Large production and consumption figures are given in these units to make it easier to compare the various types of energy, which come in different forms.

Table 1.1 and Figure 1.4 show that from 1949 to 2003 the energy produced in the United States from coal generally increased steadily. The production of oil rose until 1972 but by 1995 had declined to about the levels produced in the early 1950s, which were in the 13 quadrillion Btu range (not shown in Table 1.1.) The decline continued through 2003. Likewise, natural gas production rose until 1972. It then declined from 1973 through 1986. Since 1986 natural gas production has risen to levels similar to those in the late 1970s. The energy produced from nuclear power has increased over the past fifty four years, while the energy produced from hydroelectric and biofuel power (wood, waste, alcohol) in recent decades has

FIGURE 1.3

remained relatively steady. More coal was produced in the United States during 2003 than any other energy source, with natural gas in second place. Oil was the third largest form of energy, while nuclear electric power was fourth.

Domestic Consumption

While total domestic energy production has more than doubled since 1949, the total domestic energy consumption—the amount of fossil fuels and other forms of energy used by the people and industry of the United States—has more than tripled, rising from 30 quadrillion Btu in 1949 to 98.2 quadrillion Btu in 2003. (See Figure 1.1 and Figure 1.3.) Domestic energy consumption more than doubled from 1949 to 1973, increasing from 30 to 74 quadrillion Btu. Meanwhile, the economy grew at about the same rate, so the increased consumption of energy reflected the growth in the economy. That is, as the nation grew, it used more fuel—mainly more petroleum and natural gas.

But after the huge 1973 oil price increases, energy consumption fell, rose, and fell again, eventually returning to 1973 levels by 1986. (See Figure 1.1.) Following the drop in crude oil prices in 1986, U.S. imports of oil began to rise, and energy consumption increased, reaching an all time high of 98.9 quadrillion Btu in 2000. According to U.S. Census Bureau data, the U.S. population grew by 88% from 1950 to 2000, while energy consumption rose by 181% during the same period. After 2000 energy consumption leveled off somewhat. By 2003 it had dropped slightly, to 98.2 Btu. (See Figure 1.3)

Before the 1973 oil crisis, U.S. energy consumption increased quickly. (See Figure 1.1.) After 1973 energy consumption

TABLE 1.1

FIGURE 1.4

continued to increase but less sharply, as Americans became more efficient and used less energy to accomplish more. Energy consumption shifted slightly away from petroleum and natural gas toward electricity generated by other fuels. In 1973 petroleum and natural gas accounted for 77% of total energy consumption; by 2003 their share had dropped to 63% (40% petroleum and 23% natural gas).

Figure 1.5 shows energy production and consumption flows, including types of energy sources, in 2003. Coal, which in 1973 accounted for 17% of all energy consumed, accounted for 23.1% in 2003, or 22.7 quadrillion Btu out of a total of 98.2 quadrillion Btu. Nuclear power, which contributed barely 1% of the nation's consumption in 1973, accounted for 8.1% in 2003. Renewable energy sources (hydroelectric, solar, biofuels, and wind energy) accounted for 6.3% of energy consumed.