Fusion Power Associates
2 Professional Drive, Suite 249
Gaithersburg, MD 20879
phone: (301) 258-0545
fax: (301) 975-9869
e-mail: FusionPwrAssoc@aol.com
web: http://fusionpower.org

FPN ARCHIVES: | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | budget history |

FPN05-65

Fossil Fuels Lead Energy Growth

August 31, 2005

According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), total U. S. energy consumption grew nearly 2% in 2004, to 100.3 quadrillion Btu. Petroleum and natural gas supplied most of the increase, the EIA reported. The use of so-called "renewable" energy sources grew by less than 1% in total, despite robust growth in the use of wind energy and ethanol. Renewable-generated electricity actually fell 1%, even with a 27% increase in wind power. If hydropower is excluded, renewable power provides 2% of U.S. electricity needs, the EIA reported. Wind power accounts for 0.36% of the electricity mix.

Of the total 100 Quadrillion Btu, petroleum contributed 40%, natural gas and coal each provided 23%, nuclear energy contributed 8% hydroelectric and biomass each provided about 2.76%, geothermal contributed about 0.36%, wind provided about 0.12% and solar provided about 0.06%

The EIA report, "Renewable Energy Trends 2004," is available at http://www.eia.doe.gov.