Mixed energy trends from EIA

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WASHINGTON, April 16 (UPI) -- There's an emerging U.S. energy trend that relates population to usage and production, the U.S. Energy Department said.

The Energy Department's Energy Information Administration said energy consumption is expected to increase less than 1 percent this year. When considering population increases, however, there's a general trend that per-capita consumption is declining.

"The decline in net import dependence since 2005 reflects changes in both production and use of fuels," the agency said.

The EIA published a short-term energy outlook last week, predicting U.S. crude oil production could move close to 7.9 million barrels per day by next year.

In terms of gasoline, the EIA said the price for a gallon of regular unleaded declined 6.6 cents to $3.54, on average, for the week ending Monday.

The EIA said it based its predictions on declining prices for crude oil. Brent crude oil prices were less than $100 during the latest trading session.

Motor group AAA reports that U.S. consumers paid, on average, $3.52 for a gallon of regular unleaded gasoline, 38 cents less than the same time last year.