Washington's Energy Indicators

2.  Washington’s Energy Use — Primary Energy Consumption

Data Note: EIA uses each state’s mix of electric generation to map electricity consumption to production by primary fuels. This overstates the contribution of hydroelectricity, as Washington is part of an interconnected regional electric grid and relies on generation sources in other states that are less hydroelectric-intensive.

WASHINGTON CONTINUES TO RELY ON PETROLEUM FUELS TO MEET OVER HALF ITS ENERGY NEEDS. THE RELATIVE IMPORTANCE OF HYDROELECTRICITY AS AN ENERGY SOURCE HAS DECLINED.

This indicator shows the extent of Washington’s reliance on six major primary energy sources: petroleum, hydroelectricity, natural gas, biofuels, coal, and uranium. Washington continues to rely on petroleum, most of which is imported by tanker from Alaska, to meet over half of its primary energy needs. This share has not changed appreciably since 1970. Hydroelectricity’s relative importance has declined since the mid 1980s, due to stable production and rapid growth in other fuels. Natural gas consumption doubled between 1983 and 1995, regaining the market share it lost during the 1970s. Natural gas now accounts for nearly 15 percent of Washington’s primary energy consumption. Biofuels, mainly wood and wood waste products, account for 8 percent of primary energy consumption. These fuels are primarily burned for steam and cogeneration at pulp and paper mills. Coal is consumed almost exclusively at the Centralia Steam Plant, while uranium is used at the Washington Public Power Supply System’s WNP-2 plant in Richland. Together, coal and nuclear generation accounted for 9 percent of Washington’s primary energy supply in 1995.

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