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ECONOMIC REPORT OF THE PRESIDENT

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Figure 7-9<br />

Energy Intensity Projections and Actual, 2003–2015<br />

Index, 2003=1<br />

1.00<br />

0.98<br />

0.96<br />

0.94<br />

0.92<br />

0.90<br />

2006<br />

2007<br />

2008<br />

2009<br />

0.88<br />

0.86<br />

2010<br />

0.84<br />

0.82<br />

Actual<br />

0.80<br />

0.78<br />

2003 2005 2007 2009 2011 2013 2015<br />

Source: Energy Information Administration; CEA calculations.<br />

Information Administration (EIA).24 Figure 7-9 plots both the observed<br />

decline in energy intensity in the U.S. economy, as well as EIA projections of<br />

the decline in energy intensity going back to 2003.25 Not only has the decline<br />

in energy intensity been relatively steady, but it has tracked closely with<br />

predictions. Changes in energy intensity come from policy as well as technological<br />

and behavioral shifts. The fact that it has been predicted to decrease<br />

over time comes from assumptions that technology will continue to develop<br />

and policies will continue to encourage efficiency. With the extensive energy<br />

efficiency policies implemented by the Administration since 2009, EIA projects<br />

energy intensity to decline another 17 percent by 2025 (EIA 2016a).26<br />

Although the aggregate energy intensity has been steadily and predictably<br />

moving downward, aggregation masks differences across sectors of<br />

the economy. One notable example is the transportation sector, which has<br />

driven a decline in U.S. petroleum consumption relative to both recent levels<br />

and past projections.<br />

24 EIA forecasts do include existing policies, as well as finalized policies with impacts in the<br />

future that have been projected at the time of the forecast.<br />

25 Figures 7-9, 7-12, 7-13, and 7-14a to 7-14c use an index, with actual U.S. energy intensity in<br />

2003 set equal to 1.0, and actual and projected energy intensity since 2003 expressed relative<br />

to that baseline. Projections use annual (negative) growth rates for energy intensity from the<br />

2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, and 2010 EIA Annual Energy Outlook.<br />

26 Energy intensity (QBtu / GDP) metric is calculated from AEO 2016 reference case<br />

projections of annual energy use and GDP (EIA 2016a).<br />

Addressing Climate Change | 453

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