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Manufacturing sector energy use, energy intensity down since 2002

Total energy consumption in the manufacturing sector decreased by 17 percent from 2002 to 2010, according to data released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration, Washington, D.C. Manufacturing gross output decreased by only 3 percent over the same period. Taken together, these data indicate a significant decline in the amount of energy used per unit of gross manufacturing output. The significant decline in energy intensity reflects both improvements in energy efficiency and changes in the manufacturing output mix. Consumption of every fuel used for manufacturing declined over this period.

Energy for manufacturing can be consumed in two ways: as a fuel or as a feedstock (material input to a final product). Energy consumed as a fuel includes all energy used for heat and power. Energy used as feedstock is defined s the energy sources for raw material input or for any purpose other than the production of heat or power.

U.S. manufacturing used more than 14 quadrillion Btu of energy as a fuel in 2010, a decrease of 13 percent from the 2002 level. Feedstock energy use in U.S. manufacturing accounts for more than 6 percent of all energy consumed in the country.