P.M. BRIEFING : 35% Energy Cut Held Possible If U.S. Followed California’s Lead
U.S. energy use would drop 35% if all states followed the examples of California, New York, Arizona, Vermont and Colorado, according to a national survey released today.
These five states were rated as the most energy-efficient in the nation, the study by the group Public Citizen said.
Texas won the dubious distinction of being the leader of the “Energy Hog Index.” Although Texas has less than 7% of the nation’s population, it accounts for nearly 12% of total U.S. energy use. The index includes such factors as per capita energy use and the use of renewable resources.
Rounding out the top five on the “Hog Index” were Wyoming, Alaska, Kansas and Louisiana.
Alaskans were identified as the biggest per capita energy users. Alaskans consume the energy equivalent of 170 barrels of oil per year, compared with the average per capita consumption of about 56 barrels.
New Yorkers consume the least amount of energy--using the energy equivalent of 34 barrels of oil annually.
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