Patterns of energy consumption in the United States have changed markedly since the early 1970's. From 1949 to 1970, both domestic energy production and consumption roughly doubled, rising steadily except for a few slight dips during the 1950's (see figure). Between 1970 and 1996, consumption and production are characterized by peaks and valleys, with consumption increasing by 41 percent and production by only 17 percent. The gap between production and consumption during this latter period has led to greater dependence on imported energy.
Such trends are vividly displayed in tables and graphs in the Energy Information Administration's Annual Energy Review 1996 (AER), which presents long-term historical annual data on U.S. energy production, consumption, stocks, trade, and prices. Many of the data series run from 1949 through 1996, providing nearly a half-century of data for analysis of long-term trends.
The AER emphasizes domestic energy statistics, with information on specific energy sources, including petroleum, coal, natural gas, electricity, nuclear energy, and renewable energy. Energy consumption statistics are displayed for the major economic sectors (residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation). One section reports international statistics, such as world production of energy by country.
For the first time, the AER incorporates estimates of coal consumption by independent power producers as well as electric utilities. Key tables in the electricity and environmental indicators sections have been restructured to shift their focus from electric utilities alone to the entire electric power industry. Other new features include world carbon dioxide emissions for 1986 though 1995; U.S. energy activities by foreign-affiliated companies for 1978 through 1994; State rankings of average energy prices and expenditures for 1994; the number of manufacturing sector establishments by Standard Industry Classification and by the types of energy sources used for inputs for heat, power, and electricity generation in 1994; and alternative-fueled vehicles estimated to be in use in 1996.
If you are having technical problems with this site, please contact the EIA Webmaster at wmaster@eia.doe.gov or call 202-586-2753. For general information about energy, or to order a hard copy of the Annual Energy Review 1996, contact the National Energy Information Center at 202-586-8800 or infoctr@eia.doe.gov.
File last modified: July 25, 1997
URL: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/plugs/plaer96.html