Where does most of the United States' annual energy production of 61 quadrillion BTUs come from, and who uses most of it?

In 1999, only ten states produced more energy than their own populations consumed. These states, along with their primary source of energy were: Alaska (oil), Colorado (natural gas), Kentucky (coal), Louisiana (natural gas), Montana (coal), New Mexico (natural gas), North Dakota (coal), Oklahoma (natural gas), Utah (coal) and Wyoming (coal).

While Texas led all states in energy production at 10.666 quadrillion BTUs of energy, Texas also lead the nation in energy consumed at 11.501 quadrillion BTUs, meaning that even petroleum- and coal-rich Texas had to import energy.

As you might expect, California is burdened by America's most serious energy deficit. In 1999, California's 33 million citizens consumed 8.375 quadrillion BTUs, while the state produced only 2.336 quadrillion BTUs of energy. California's resulting energy deficit of 6.039 quadrillion BTUs is higher than the annual energy consumption of any state except Texas.

As mentioned earlier, primary electricity -- electricity produced by nuclear, hydroelectric, geothermal, wood, wind, waste, and solar power plants -- is the most desirable energy source from both economic and environmental standpoints. Unfortunately, primary electricity is also the least-produced source of energy in the United States. In 1999, no state produced as much as one quadrillion BTUs of primary electricity. Washington led all states with production of .355 quadrillion BTUs of primary electricity.

A complete table of energy production and consumption by state can be viewed at the Department of Energy's Energy Information Center Web site: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/states/_statequads.html

Clearly, it is hard to argue with President Bush's assertion that America needs to produce more, while consuming less energy. However, the environmental concerns associated with increasing production simply through expanded oil and natural gas exploration and recovery must bear equal weight and be approached with great caution. Should we, for example, allow uncontrolled drilling off our seashores or in national parks, we could find ourselves facing a future summer with plenty of cheap gasoline -- but nowhere left to go.

• Abraham's World of Energy
On July 19, 2001, Secretary of Energy Spencer Abraham addressed the San Francisco Bay Area Council where he expanded on his Agency's vision of a new world of energy for America.