As the U.S. energy industry increases production, the country itself also is using less energy, a new report shows.
New data released Wednesday by the
Energy Information Agency shows that pushes both for more fossil fuel drilling and more efficient use of energy are possibly having the effects that advocates on both sides hope for.
Energy production rose 2 percent between January and September of 2012, as compared with the same time frame in 2011. Fossil fuel production increased by 3.14 percent, although renewable energy production dropped 2.8 percent.
On the flip side, total consumption by the country fell by three percent. Broken down, transportation use decreased by 1.2, industry use fell by 1.5 percent, and residential and commercial use is down by 5.2 percent.
Both debates are expected to heat up in 2013 as many energy industry groups continue their push to open more federal lands to drilling for oil and natural gas, including the increased use of fracking.
That tactic — injecting a mix of water and chemicals into the ground to get to fossil fuel deposits — has helped sharply increase U.S. energy production in recent years.
Efficiency groups also expect to see vehicle and construction requirements help consumption levels continue to drop, reports
The Hill.
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