Energy
U.S. Energy Facts Explained
Energy Sources Are Diverse and Have Evolved Over Time
T
oday, most of the energy consumed in the United States co-
mes from fossil fuels — coal, petroleum, and natural gas, with
crude oil-based petroleum as the dominant source of energy.
Renewable energy resources supply a relatively small but steady
portion, about 7% of U.S. total energy consumption. In the late
1950s, nuclear fuel began to be used to generate electricity, and in
recent years has surpassed renewable energy sources.
The use of energy fuels has changed over time, but the change
tends to occur slowly. In the long view of U.S. history, wood, a
renewable energy source, served as the preeminent form of ener-
gy for about half of the Nation’s history. Coal surpassed wood’s
usage in the late 19th century, and was, in turn, overtaken by pe-
troleum products in the mid 1900s. Natural gas consumption ex-
perienced rapid growth in the second half of the 20th century, and
coal use also began to expand as the primary source of electric
power generation.
We Produce More Coal than
Any Other Energy Source
Most of the energy produced in the United States comes from
fossil fuels. Coal, the leading energy source produced at the
middle of the 20th century, was surpassed by crude oil and then
by natural gas. By the mid-1980s, coal again became the lead-
ing energy source produced in the United States, and crude oil
production declined sharply. In the 1970s, electricity produced
from nuclear fuel began to make a significant contribution and
CREATING RESOURCES
expanded rapidly in the following decades.
FROM WASTEWATER
Outlook for Future Emissions
The King County Wastewater Treatment
Division is committed to protecting public
Carbon Dioxide Emissions Are
health and the environment in the central
Expected to Increase
Puget Sound region. Fulfilling our mission
World carbon dioxide emissions are expected to increase by
requires a diversity of employees to build,
1.4% annually between 2006 and 2030. Much of the increase
operate and maintain our facilities.
in these emissions is expected to occur in the developing world
Our award-winning agency seeks professionals where emerging economies, including China and India, fuel
and tradespeople in a variety of fields. Come
economic development with fossil energy. Emissions from the
join one of the premiere wastewater treatment
developing countries are expected to grow above the world av-
agencies in the nation.
erage at 2.2% annually between 2006 and 2030.
The United States produced about 20% of global carbon dio-
For all current job openings go to:
xide emissions from burning fossil fuels in 2006, the last year
http://www.kingcounty.gov/jobs
for which global data are available. The United States accounts
Division site:
http://www.kingcounty.gov/wtd for this share primarily because the U.S. economy is the lar-
gest in the world and it meets 84% of its energy needs through
burning fossil fuels. The United States is projected to lower its
carbon intensity by 39% from 2006 to 2030.
Department of Natural Resources and Parks
Wastewater Treatment Division
Source: US Department of Energy
42
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