USA Today, October 25, 1982, page 1B
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"Energy: U.S. more self-sufficient"

By Stuart Hale Shakman Special for USA TODAY

Strong coal production coupled with weak demand for petroleum and natural gas made May the first full month in several years in which U.S. energy output surpassed use.

During May, U.S. production of all energy sources totaled 5.489 quadrillion British thermal units -- or quads, which is equal to a million billion -- according to revised figures in the Department of Energy's latest Monthly Energy Review. Consumption was 4.578 quads.

That was the first time production topped consumption in the publication's 10-year history of monthly energy summaries. In addition, preliminary figures show that June 1982 just missed being energy independent. Production equaled 99.8 percent of consumption.

These indicators reflect a sustained turnaround that began in 1978, when U.S. production of energy hit an all-time low of 78.3 percent of consumption. By last year, production had climbed back to 88 percent of consumption, making 1981 the best year since 1971 when production was 90.3 percent of use.

The May figures do not mean the United States has achieved independence from imported energy sources. May and June traditionally are low months of energy use, said a spokesman for the Energy Information Administration, an arm of the Department of Energy.

"It's an encouraging sign, and it's evidence of a long-term trend," the administration spokesman said. "However, we're still a long way from energy independence."

For all of 1982, the department projects consumption will total 71.98 quads, while U.S. production will be 65.59 quads. That would mean production would equal about 91 percent of consumption.

A major factor in the move toward energy independence has been willingness to trim use of petroleum and natural gas. Consumers are using less petroleum now than in any year since 1971 and less gas than in any year since 1968. Not to be ignored are tremendous gains in coal production. Production this year is running 35 percent ahead of the pace in 1978.

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