Year	Total Energy (quadrillion Btu)	Year	Total Energy (quadrillion Btu)
1973	74.282	1982	70.848
1974	72.543	1983	70.524
1975	70.546	1984	74.101
1976	74.362	1985	73.945
1977	76.288	1986	74.237
1978	78.089	1987	76.844
1979	78.898	1988	80.196
1980	75.955	1989	81.346
1981	73.990	1990	81.453

Source: Energy Information Administration, Monthly Energy Review, March 1991, p. 11

The table above shows how the amount of energy used in the United States has risen and fallen over the years 1973 to 1990.

In general, the amount of energy used has increased slightly, though it has fluctuated significantly over these decades.  No general pattern seems to exist.

While a larger economy and population have required more energy, efficiency has also improved, decreasing the need.  Price fluctuations such as those from the OPEC oil embargo have also severely affected total energy consumption.

The primary source of energy has been petroleum throughout this period.  Petroleum use rates have remained basically stable.

Hydroelectric power usage and natural gas usage have both fallen significantly.  From the year 1973 to 1990, the amount of natural gas consumed fell from 22.512 quadrillion Btu to 19.414, and the amount of hydroelectric power decreased from 3.010 quadrillion Btu to 2.942.

Nuclear power and coal power both greatly increased in use.  Nuclear power rose from .910 quadrillion Btu in 1973 up to 6.185 in 1990.  Coal went from 12.971 quadrillion Btu in 1973 to 19.060 in 1990.