A new report from DOE's National Renewable Energy
Laboratory (NREL) finds that certain state policies can spur a
significant growth in renewable energy use. The report finds
benefits from policies focused on utilities as well as policies
focused on the utilities' customers.
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)
Estimated energy demand is charted to grow by almost 50% in the next 20 years.
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)
In 2007, renewable sources of energy accounted for about 7% of total U.S. energy consumption and 9.4% of electricity generation. (Source: EIA)
In 2007, the average monthly residential electricity consumption was 936 kWh. (Source: EIA)
