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EIA: U.S. growing more energy independent

Natural gas top source for U.S. energy for third straight year.

By Daniel J. Graeber
United States able to meet more of its own energy needs, government says. UPI/Gary C. Caskey
United States able to meet more of its own energy needs, government says. UPI/Gary C. Caskey | License Photo

WASHINGTON, June 2 (UPI) -- Enough energy was produced in the United States last year to meet more than 80 percent of the nation's demands, the Energy Department said Monday.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration, the statistical arm of the Energy Department, said 81.7 quadrillion British thermal units of energy was produced from domestic resources last year.

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EIA said natural gas was the largest source of energy for the third year in the row. Fossil fuels in general accounted for 82 percent of the energy produced last year, with renewable resources and nuclear energy making up 10 percent and 8 percent, respectively.

EIA said production of oil and natural gas has increased steadily since 2005, the same year for which the portion of U.S. energy consumption supplied by domestic production reached its historical low point.

EIA said the last time there's been a major increase in the ratio of domestic supply to consumption was during the four-year period ending in 1982.

"During that period, oil consumption declined in response to higher prices and changing policies, and production rose as oil started to flow from Alaska's North Slope," EIA said. "At the same time, domestic coal production was increasing."

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