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242 assessment of climate change in the southwest united statesU.S. production. Since 1960, primary energy production in the Southwest has grown180%. In 2009, consumption outpaced production by 3,300 billion BTUs. However, theper capita consumption in the Southwest of 222 million BTUs per person is significantlybelow the national average of 302 million BTUs per person. The 2009 consumption levelrepresents a 255% increase since 1960.Natural gas represents 43% of the primary energy production in the Southwest (Figure12.1), followed by crude oil (21%), coal (19%), renewable energy i (10%), and nuclearelectric power (7%). Since 1960, there has been a strong increase in the production of naturalgas, coal, nuclear electric power, and renewable energy, while crude oil productiondecreased. Significant differences in energy production by state are evident across theSouthwest (Figure 12.1). California, Colorado, and New Mexico are among the nation’stop ten energy-producing states, while Nevada is ranked 47th. Colorado, New Mexico,and Utah have significant natural gas production, while California leads the region incrude oil and renewable energy production.In 2009, 36% of the 12,500 trillion BTUs consumed in the region were associated withthe transportation sector, with the remaining consumption spread relatively evenlyFigure 12.1 Energy production in the Southwest region. Source: EIA (2010).