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By the Numbers: Wisconsin Energy Use

Using figures from the State Energy Office, we look at Wisconsin energy use for electric generation in BTUs and by type of fuel, comparing 1970 use to 2012 use (the most recent figures available). The office also reported that Wisconsin energy use for electric generation decreased by 1.5 percent in 2012. The year 2012 also saw an 83.1 percent increase in natural gas use, bringing it close to the amount of nuclear power in use. The large increase is largely due to utilities switching from coal to natural gas at some power plants.

 

1970

 

7.9 trillion BTUs

The amount of petroleum used to generate electricity, or 3.2 percent of the total.

 

31.1 trillion BTUs

The amount of natural gas used to generate electricity, or 12.5 percent of the total.

 

231.1 trillion BTUs

The amount of coal used to generate electricity, or 93 percent of the total.

 

4.8 trillion BTUs

The amount of renewable energy used to generate electricity, or 1.9 percent of the total.

 

1.7 trillion BTUs

The amount of nuclear used to generate electricity, or 1.7 percent of the total.

 

-282 trillion BTUs

The amount of electric imports used to generate electricity, or -11.4 percent of the total. (Negative percentages indicate resource energy used in Wisconsin to produce electricity that was exported.)

 

4.8 trillion BTUs

The amount of hydroelectric used to generate electricity, or 1.9 percent of the total.

 

284.4 trillion

Total BTUs produced from all sources.

 

2012

 

0.6 trillion BTUs

The amount of petroleum used to generate electricity, or 0.6 percent of the total.

 

88.6 trillion BTUs

The amount of natural gas used to generate electricity, or 12.8 percent of the total.

 

377.5 trillion BTUs

The amount of coal used to generate electricity, or 54.6 percent of the total.

 

12.8 trillion BTUs

The amount of renewables used to generate electricity, or 12.8 percent of the total.

 

105.7 trillion BTUs

The amount of nuclear used to generate electricity, or 15.3 percent of the total.

 

106.4 trillion BTUs

The amount of electric imports used to generate electricity, or 15.4 percent of the total.

 

4.6 trillion BTUs

The amount of hydro used to generate electricity, or 0.7 percent of the total.

 

691.6 trillion

Total BTUs produced from all sources.

 

Source: stateenergyoffice.wi.gov

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