By the OGJ Online Staff
HOUSTON, May 16 -- Vice-Pres. Richard Cheney Wednesday briefed Republicans congressmen in Washington on the need for reforms in US energy policy.
President George W. Bush was due to disclose the administration's release of its energy policy recommendations Thursday in St. Paul, Minn.
Cheney said over the next 20 years, growth in US energy consumption is expected to continue to outpace production. The US uses nearly 100 quadrillion btu/year and produces only about 72 quads, importing the balance. He said the Energy Information Administration predicts that by 2020, the US will consume almost 130 quads/year, importing 50 quads.
Despite higher consumption, Cheney noted that post-1972 technological improvements have allowed the economy to use energy much more efficiently. Without those changes, he said consumption could have been as high as 160 quads.
He said technology and environmental rules have combined to slash aggregate emissions of sulfur dioxide , nitrogen oxide, carbon monoxide, and volatile organic compounds by 31%.
Cheney said over the next 20 years, US oil consumption will grow by more than 6 million b/d but production -- if it continues its decline curve -- will drop 1.5 million b/d.
He said the US imported more than half of the nearly 20 million b/d of oil that it used in 2000. He said EIA projects import dependence will be 57% in 2005, 60% in 2010, and 64% in 2020.
Cheney said electricity demand is expected to increase from 1,800 billion kw-hr in 1999 to 2,196 in 2010 and 2,298 in 2020. Use of natural gas to generate electricity is expected to triple at 900 billion in 2010 and rise to 1,587 billion kw-hr in 2020.