Search
 

Washington Insider - Energy and the Small Property Owner

The energy crisis in California is a wake-up call: we have a serious energy supply problem in this country. And it's only going to get worse: according…

By Patricia Callahan | Updated on July 16, 2001

The energy crisis in California is a wake-up call: we have a serious energy supply problem in this country. And it’s only going to get worse: according to US government figures, overall domestic energy consumption is expected to increase by more than 30% in the next 20 years.

Demand for oil will increase by one-third, yet we now produce 39% less oil than we did in 1970. Consumption of natural gas is expected to increase by 62% over the next two decades. More than 61% of US residences (58 million homes and apartments) are heated with natural gas.

But 40% of our domestic gas resources are now off limits or so restricted that development is virtually impossible. Electricity demand will increase by 45% over that same period, owing at least in part to the growth of power-hungry information technology. In the multifamily sector, 42% of all units built in 1999 featured natural gas heat; 56% of those new units featured electric heat. Coal currently provides more than 50% of electricity generation.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2025 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2025 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.