A recent research report from McKinsey & Company finds
that the United States could reduce non-transportation energy
use by 23% by 2020, avoiding 1.1 billion tons of greenhouse
gas emissions. A separate report examining tranportation
finds the potential for similar cuts by 2050.
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)
Today’s challenges of reducing greenhouse gas emissions while meeting the country’s steadily rising demand for electricity make it essential for legislatures and public utility commissions to shift their focus toward mechanisms that make demand reduction as profitable for utilities as increasing supply. (Source: Institute for 21st Century Energy)
Electricity generation accounts for about 40% of total U.S. energy consumption. (Source: Institute for 21st Century Energy)
In 2007, renewable sources of energy accounted for about 7% of total U.S. energy consumption and 9.4% of electricity generation. (Source: EIA)
