Colorado has increased its renewable energy standard for
utilities to 30% by 2020, up from the previous 20% target set
in 2007. The new legislation also requires utilities to draw on
distributed sources of renewable energy for 3% of their retail
electric sales by 2020.
Electricity generation accounts for about 40% of total U.S. energy consumption. (Source: Institute for 21st Century Energy)
The United States makes up 5% of the world's population and accounts for 25% of total energy use.
In 2007, the average monthly residential electricity consumption was 936 kWh. (Source: EIA)
In 2007, about 58% of the petroleum consumed in the U.S. was imported from foreign countries--primarily Canada, Saudia Arabia, Venezuela, Mexico and Nigeria. (Source: EIA)
Estimated energy demand is charted to grow by almost 50% in the next 20 years.
