U.S. Electricity Use Declines, Energy Efficiency Could be a Factor
March 25, 2014
While the economic recession explains the decline in sales in 2008 and
2009, it is much less clear why sales have continued to fall.
Electricity sales fell by 1.9% in 2012 over 2007’s figures and sales in the first ten months of 2013 have fallen even lower, according to a new white paper released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficiency Economy (ACEEE).
While the economic recession explains the decline in sales in 2008 and 2009, it is much less clear why sales have continued to fall. The ACEEE suggests energy-efficient buildings, lighting, and appliances have had a positive impact on energy usage.
Between 1993 and 2012, changes in electricity use were most influenced by energy efficiency programs and policies, warmer weather, changes in gross domestic product, changes in electricity prices, and long-term trends. Over the more recent period of 2007 to 2012, savings from energy efficiency programs and policies and from warmer winter weather appear to be the most important contributors to declining electricity use.
