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Total
primary energy use per capita in the United States in 2000 was
almost identical to that in 1973. Over the same 27-year period
economic output (GDP) per capita increased 74
percent. |
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National
energy intensity (energy use per unit of GDP) fell 42 percent
between 1973 and 2000. About three-quarters of this decline is
attributable to real energy efficiency improvements and about
one-quarter is due to structural changes and fuel
switching. |
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If the
United States had not dramatically reduced its energy
intensity over the past 27 years, energy use in 2000 would
have equaled about 171 quadrillion Btus instead of the 99
quadrillion Btus actually consumed. Consumers and businesses
would have spent at least $430 billion more on energy
purchases in 2000 had this 72 quadrillion Btus of savings not
occurred. |
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The
energy intensity of the U.S. economy declined significantly
during the past four years after stagnating from the mid-80s
to mid-90s. Between 1996 and 2000, GDP increased 19 percent
while primary energy use increased just 5 percent. Thus the
energy intensity of the economy dropped over 3% per year
during 1996-2000. |
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Physical
indicators of energy efficiency improvement in the U.S. over
the past 27 years include:
- The average rated fuel economy of new cars increased
from 16 mpg in 1975 to 28 mpg by 1987. The average rated
fuel economy of cars and light trucks combined increased
from 15 mpg in 1975 to 26 mpg by 1987. But the average rated
fuel economy of cars and light trucks fell to 24 mpg in
1999-2000.
- The average electricity use of new refrigerators
declined from 1725 kWh/yr in 1972 to 685 kWh/yr by 1999. At
the same time, new refrigerators became larger and had more
features. The average energy efficiency of new refrigerators
nearly tripled during 1972-99.
- The average efficiency rating of new central air
conditioners increased 56% from 7.0 SEER in 1976 to 10.9
SEER in 1998.
- Sales of energy-efficient compact fluorescent lamps
(CFLs) increased nearly five-fold from 1990 to 1999; 82
million CFLs were sold in North America in 1999.
- The primary energy intensity of steel production (energy
use per ton of output) fell about 25% between 1975 and
1994.
- The primary energy intensity of paper and pulp
production (energy use per ton of output) fell 27% during
1970-94.
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Even
though the United States is much more energy-efficient today
than it was 25 years ago, there is still enormous potential
for cost-effective energy savings. Some newer
energy-efficiency measures have barely begun to be adopted.
And other efficiency measures will be developed and
commercialized in coming years, thereby adding to our "energy
efficiency resource". |
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The U.S.
Department of Energy estimates that increasing energy
efficiency throughout the economy could cut national energy
use by 10% or more in 2010 and about 20% in 2020, with net
economic benefits for consumers and businesses. |
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ACEEE
estimates that adopting a comprehensive set of policies for
advancing energy efficiency could lower national energy use by
18 percent in 2010 and 33 percent in 2020. These policies,
along with policies to advance renewable energy, could
dramatically lower U.S. carbon dioxide emissions while saving
consumers and business $500 billion net during
2000-2020. |
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Adopting
tougher fuel economy standards and other policies for
increasing the efficiency of new vehicles could save 1.5
million barrels of oil per day (MBD) by 2010, 4.7 MBD by 2020,
and 67 billion barrels of oil over the next 40 years. This is
10-20 times greater than the potential oil supply from the
Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. |
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Adopting
a national system benefit trust fund for the electric sector
could greatly expand state and utility electricity
conservation programs, saving as much as 130 TWh (3.5% of
projected electricity demand) in 2005, 340 TWh (9% of
projected demand) in 2010, and 750 TWh (17% of projected
demand) in 2020. The latter value is equivalent to the
electricity supplied by over 250 large (500 MW) power
plants. |
