ECONOMIC

TABLE 29.—Use of energy inputs for electric power, 1972[Quadrillions of Btu's]Energy inputTotal uses iTotal usesPetroleumNatural gasCoalHydropowerNuclear power18.63.14.17.83.0.6i Preliminary.Source: Department of the Interior, Bureau of Mines.Wholesale energy prices in the United States were quite stable, relative toother wholesale prices, during the 1960's. But toward the close of the decadethe price of coal began to move upward, and in 1973 petroleum prices increasedsharply (Table 30). Consumer prices of energy actually were decliningfrom 1960 to 1972, relative to other consumer prices. For instance, therelative price of gasoline and motor oil fell 17.2 percent between 1960 and1972 but began to increase steeply near the end of 1973 (Chart 7).Chart 7Consumer Prices of Gasolineand Motor Oil1967=100130120—-ANNUALLYMONTHLY/ri110GASOLINE AND MOTOR OIL PRICES- RELATIVE TOV ALL CONSUMER PRICES (CPI) ^^^-"^"-1009080--—s "' \ N. A/GASOLINE AND MOTOR^^*OIL PRICES (CPI)I I I I I I I I I 1 I I I 1 1 111111111111957 59 61 63 65 67 69 71 1973/SOURCE: DEPARTMENT OF LABOR.113