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Comparing Different Energy Commodities

To make meaningful comparisons of energy commodities, you must convert physical units of measure (such as weight or volume) and the energy content of each fuel to comparable units. One practical way to compare different fuels is to convert them into British thermal units (Btu). The Btu is a precise measure of energy--the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of 1 pound of water 1 degree Fahrenheit. The Btu content of different energy commodities is given in the Thermal Conversion Factors tables of EIA's Annual Energy Review. (Explanation and examples of energy units)

 

Average Monthly Residential Electricity Consumption

Average monthly residential electricity consumption in 2002 was 907 Kwh. For state, regional, and U.S. information on residential electricity consumption see "Electric Sales and Revenue Spreadsheets", Table 1.

 

Dependency on Imported Oil

EIA measures import oil dependency based on net petroleum imports as a percentage of total petroleum consumed ("product supplied").

 

Gallons of Gasoline From One Barrel of Crude Oil

One barrel (42 gallons) of crude oil , when refined, produces approximately 19.9 gallons of finished motor gasoline, as well as other petroleum products. See http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-renewable/oil.html

 

Uses of Petroleum

There are many ways that petroleum (oil) is used. Oil is refined into useable petroleum products . Most of the petroleum products are used to produce energy. Other products made from petroleum include: ink, crayons, bubble gum, dishwashing liquids, deodorant, eyeglasses, records, tires, ammonia, and heart valves. From a barrel of oil, 47% is refined to gasoline for use in automobiles, 23% is refined to heating oil and diesel fuel, 18% is refined to other products, which includes petrochemical feedstock such as polypropylene, 4% is refined to propane, 10% is refined to jet fuel, and 3% is refined to asphalt. (Percentages sum to over 100 because there is approximately a 5% processing gain in refining.) http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyfacts/sources/non-renewable/oil.html.

 

Nuclear Power Plant Generation

In 2002, the average U.S. commercial nuclear reactor generated 7.5 billion kilowatt hours (780.1 billion kilowatt hours were generated from 103* nuclear reactors.) http://www.eia.doe.gov/neic/infosheets/nuclear.htm
*(Note: In 2002, there were 104 commercial nuclear reactors licensed to operate in the United States. The Brown's Ferry unit 1 reactor has been shut down since 1985 but retains a license.)

 

Per Capita Energy Use

In 2002, US per capita energy consumption was 338 million Btu. http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/aer/txt/ptb0105.html

 

Retail Gasoline Stations

According to National Petroleum News analysis, there are approximately 167,000 retail gasoline outlets operating in the United States. http://www.eia.doe.gov/pub/oil_gas/petroleum/analysis_publications/primer_on_gasoline_prices/html/petbro.html

 

Calculating Diesel Fuel Surcharge

The Energy Information Administration has no information regarding the use of fuel surcharges, how fuel surcharges are calculated, or how fuel surcharge formulas are constructed. The Energy Information Administration provides weekly retail diesel fuel price data with an explanation of the methodology, http://tonto.eia.doe.gov/oog/info/wohdp/diesel.asp. Many shippers and truckers use that weekly retail price information in their fuel pricing formulas. Fuel surcharges are a private contracting matter between the shipper and the trucking company. The Energy Information Administration does not encourage or discourage the use of fuel surcharge price adjustment formulas in contracts. The Energy Information Administration does not assist in writing contracts nor does it provide advice on disputes arising from contract interpretation. Some trucking and shipping companies have information regarding fuel surcharge formulas on their web sites.

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