According to reports from local US media, the consumption of coal and oil in the United States decreased significantly in 2009 compared with 2008, wind energy consumption increased significantly, natural gas consumption declined, and solar, hydro, and geothermal energy consumption increased.
The energy consumption situation is affected by the level of economic activity. The level of economic activity decreased last year. At the same time, energy-efficient electrical and transportation equipment further reduce energy consumption. As a result, people and businesses as a whole have reduced energy consumption.
In 2009, energy consumption in the United States was equivalent to 94.6 trillion British thermal units, which was lower than the 99.2 trillion British thermal units in 2008.
Energy consumption in the civil, commercial, industrial and transportation sectors decreased by 0.22 trillion, 0.09 trillion, 2.16 trillion and 0.88 trillion British thermal units, respectively.
In 2009, wind energy consumption surged by 0.7 trillion British thermal units, an increase of 0.51 trillion British thermal units from 2008. Most of the wind energy is directly used to generate electricity, thereby reducing coal power generation.
The large-scale application of renewable energy, especially wind energy, is the result of good incentives and technological progress. In 2009, technology made great progress and encouraged measures were solid. Funds invested in wind energy a few years ago were formally launched in 2009. Even better, there are more pipeline projects in 2010 and beyond.