In a major boost designed to leverage an additional $1 billion
in private investment, DOE has awarded $620 million in
Recovery Act funds to 16 Smart Grid demonstration projects
in 21 states, as well as 16 large-scale energy storage projects.
Public policies such as appliance and vehicle efficiency standards and building codes are responsible for at least 20% of the improvement in the US's energy intensity--energy use per unit of GDP. (Source: Institute for 21st Century Energy)
Appliances account for roughly 65% of electricity consumption in the average American household (2001), with refrigerators and lighting making up the largest categories. (Source: EIA)
The United States makes up 5% of the world's population and accounts for 25% of total energy use.
55 of the world's 65 largest oil producing countries are past their production peaks and in decline.
Fossil fuels provide more than 85% of all the energy consumed in the US, nearly two-thirds of our electricity, and virtually all of our transportation fuels. (Source: DOE)
