Choices in energy production and consumption have profound effects on the economy, the environment, and international relations. This simple statement is periodically reinforced by acute events such as the Santa Barbara oil spill in 1969, the oil shocks of the 1970s, the accidents at Three Mile Island in 1979 and Chernobyl in 1986, the Exxon Valdez oil spill in 1989, and the Gulf War in 1990-91. Less noticeable, but equally important, long-term impacts related to energy include acidifying deposition (a.k.a. "acid rain") and climate change. This article highlights statistical sources that describe many aspects of energy production and consumption.
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