Washington's Energy Indicators

15.  Industrial Sector Trends — Industrial Sector Energy Intensity

ENERGY INTENSITY IN WASHINGTON’S INDUSTRIAL SECTOR EXHIBITS LITTLE LONG-TERM TREND.

Unlike other sectors, Washington’s industrial sector does not appear to have become less energy intensive during the last two decades. While natural gas use grew by 74 percent between 1980 and 1995, consumption of electricity, petroleum and biofuels showed little indication of any long-term trend. Both energy consumption and industrial production are extremely volatile, making it difficult to discern underlying trends. Industrial production contracted 15 percent between 1979 and 1985, then grew by 35 percent between 1985 and 1990 before leveling off at approximately $30 billion per year in constant, 1992 dollars. Energy consumption in the industrial sector can vary by as much as 10 percent from one year to the next.

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