Energy Resource Plan
The United States was self-sufficient in energy until the late 1950s when energy consumption began to outpace domestic production. At that point, the Nation began to import more energy to fill the gap. In 2006, net imported energy accounted for 30 percent of all energy consumed. (Energy Information Administration / Annual Energy Review 2006)
Most energy consumed in the United States came from fossil fuels. Renewable energy resources supplied a relatively small but steady portion. In the late 1950s, nuclear fuel began to be used to generate electricity, and in most years since 1988, nuclear electric power surpassed renewable energy. (Energy Information Administration / Annual Energy Review 2006)
In the long view of American history, wood served as the preeminent form of energy for about half of the Nation’s history. Around 1885, coal surpassed wood’s usage. Despite its tremendous and rapid expansion, coal was, in turn, overtaken by petroleum in the middle of the 20th century. Natural gas, too, experienced rapid development into the second half of the 20th century, and coal began to expand again. Late in the 20th century still another form of energy, nuclear electric power, was developed and made significant contributions. (Energy Information Administration / Annual Energy Review 2006)
While the Nation’s energy history is one of large-scale change as new forms of energy were developed, the outlook for the next couple of decades (assuming current laws, regulations, and policies) is for continued growth and reliance on the three major fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—modest expansion in renewable resources, and relatively flat generation from nuclear electric power. (Energy Information Administration / Annual Energy Review 2006)
The United States accounted for 25 percent of world petroleum consumption in 2005. China and Japan, the next two leading consumers, together accounted for 15 percent. In 2005, India...
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