Energy in Briefs explain important energy topics in plain language. Each Brief answers a question relevant to the public and recommends resources for further reading. Please use the tools to the right to give us feedback, share with others, or sign up for notices as new Briefs are released.
October 10, 2008
How does natural gas travel from producing fields to consumers?
The national natural gas transportation network delivered more than 21 trillion cubic feet of natural gas during 2007 to about 70 million customers. The network, excluding gathering system operators, is made up of more than 200 mainline transmission pipeline companies, more than 1,300 local distribution companies, and about 125 underground natural gas storage operators.
September 8, 2008
How much does the Federal Government spend on energy-specific subsidies and support?
The Federal Government spent an estimated $16.6 billion in energy-specific subsidies and support programs in Fiscal Year (FY) 2007. Energy-specific subsidies have more than doubled since FY 1999.
August 27, 2008
What are biofuels and how much do we use?
Biofuels are liquid fuels produced from biomass materials and are used primarily for transportation1. The term biofuels most commonly refers to ethanol and biodiesel. In 2007, the United States consumed 6.8 billion gallons of ethanol and 491 million gallons of biodiesel. By comparison, 2007 consumption of motor gasoline and diesel (not inclusive of biofuels) was 139 billion gallons and 39 billion gallons, respectively.
August 22, 2008
How dependent are we on foreign oil?
The United States imported about 58% of the petroleum, which includes crude oil and refined petroleum products, that we consumed during 2007. About half of these imports came from the Western Hemisphere. Our dependence on foreign petroleum is expected to decline in the next two decades.
August 21, 2008
How much renewable energy do we use?
Americans used renewable energy sources--water (hydroelectric), geothermal, wind, sun (solar), and biomass--to meet about 7% of our total energy needs in 2007.
July 10, 2008
What are greenhouse gases and how much are emitted by the United States?
Greenhouse gases trap heat from the sun and warm the planet's surface. Of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, 87% are related to energy consumption. Since 1990, greenhouse gas emissions in the United States have grown by about 1% per year. In 2005, about 21% of the world's total energy-related carbon dioxide was emitted by the United States.
June 17, 2008
What are natural gas customer choice programs?
Customer choice programs let households and small commercial establishments purchase natural gas from someone other than their traditional utility company. However, utility companies still deliver the natural gas to consumers.
June 11, 2008
Is U.S. natural gas production increasing?
Natural gas production in the Lower 48 States has seen a large upward shift. After 9 years of no net growth through 2006, an upward trend began that generated 3% growth between first-quarter 2006 and first-quarter 2007, followed by an exceptionally large 9% increase between first-quarter 2007 and first-quarter 2008.
May 9, 2008
How is my electricity generated, delivered, and priced?
Many technologies and fuels are used to generate electricity at power plants, which is then delivered to consumers through a complex network of lines and equipment known as the "grid." The price that consumers pay for electricity is determined by weather factors, fuel costs, consumer demand, and regulations.
May 1, 2008
What is liquefied natural gas (LNG) and how is it becoming an energy source for the United States?
The United States imports about 16% of the natural gas we consume. Most of these imports are delivered by pipeline (from Canada). But a growing volume of natural gas is coming to the United States in liquid form from overseas. With the demand for natural gas expected to increase, it's likely that U.S. imports of LNG also will need to increase.
