DOE and the North American Electric Reliability Corporation
(NERC) have examined rare events that could have a high
impact on the U.S. power grid, including attacks, pandemics,
and electromagnetic disturbances. The study is meant to help
prepare for these potential risks.
Estimated energy demand is charted to grow by almost 50% in the next 20 years.
Crude oil, taxes, refining, distribution and marking are the four main components that make up the retail price of a gallon of gasoline. (Source: EIA)
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)
In 2007, renewable sources of energy accounted for about 7% of total U.S. energy consumption and 9.4% of electricity generation. (Source: EIA)
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)
