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Indicator: Energy Consumption by Source and Per Capita

Data and Data Discussion provided by King County Benchmark Program

Figure 1: Per Capita Energy Consumption by Source

Figure 2: Total and Per Capita Energy Consumption

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Upstream Indicators

There are currently no published Upstream Indicators.

Downstream Indicators
  •   Carbon Footprint --- Since 2004, the state's and King County's emissions have been on the rise. In particular, transportation related GHG emissions and total energy use in King County continue to rise.  (view data graph)
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Related Goals

There are varying costs associated with the acquisition and use of different forms of energy. As energy needs increase, it is important we act responsibly in meeting them to limit the amount of resources and land consumed and the amount of pollution produced. An increase in green building initiatives would help to minimize the amount of energy and resources needed to build and maintain new structures.

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Sustainability Snapshot:

According to Washington Department of Ecology estimates, Washington’s electricity sector is dominated by hydro-electric generation, which accounts for over 70% of the electricity generated in the state. The Centralia coal plant accounts for another 10% of electrical generation and about 80% of the state’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from power production. The remaining generation, and the primary source of recent growth in capacity in the State, is natural gas and wind power. Most plants that are currently under construction or planned are wind. In total (across the residential, commercial and industrial sectors), Washington has a higher per capita use of electricity than the U.S. as a whole.

Sustainability Trend:

Total energy consumption in King County increased nearly 10% from 1996 to 2005. When adjusted for population growth, per capita energy consumption increased less than 1% in the same time period.

Data Discussion

The Indicator Defined

Per capita energy consumption by type

Data Interpretation/Evaluation

Per capita consumption of non-petroleum energy (electricity and natural gas) has increased nominally since 1986, driven by an 11% increase in natural gas usage while electricity consumption decreased by almost 5%. After peaking in 1999, per capita consumption of non-petroleum energy declined steadily through 2004, possibly due to a recession which decreased commercial activity and natural gas needs as well as aggressive conservation programs implemented by utilities. Reversing that trend, both electricity and natural gas consumption increased about 1% in 2005. Per capita gasoline consumption has pursued a see-saw path with an eventual decrease since 1986. Since 2001, gasoline consumption has decreased nearly 6%, droppiong to 1.18 gallons per day per person in 2005. In contrast, per capita consumption of diesel fuel increased 14% in the same time period, consistent with the increase of freight movement via commercial truck traffic. Diesel fuel usage has steadily assumed a greater share of petroleum energy usage since 1996, driving the increae in petroleum consumption in the last decade.

Data Source and Limitations

Electricity consumption data provided by Puget Sound Energy (PSE) and Seattle City Light.  Natural gas consumption data provided by PSE.  Gasoline and diesel consumption data provided by Washington State Department of Transportation and is based on annual Washington State Office of Financial Management (OFM) population estimates for King County.  This indicator measures trends int he usage of the four primary energy sources in King County:  gasoline, diesel, electricity and natural gas.  It does not include renewable energy sources, nuclear-powered sources or usage of other fossil fuels including aviation/ jet fuel or coal in energy production.

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