Analysis of the Outlook for Natural Gas and Energy in Eight Industries

摘要

The second phase of a two-phase study to gain perspective into the ongoing restructuring of the U.S. manufacturing sector and its impact on gas demand focuses on eight industries and their potential for increased gas consumption: secondary nonferrous metals, plastic materials and resins, miscellaneous plastic products, synthetic organic chemicals, paper and paperboard, pharmaceuticals, nonferrous rolling and drawing, and motor vehicle parts and accessories. The analysis covers the period 1982-1990, evaluates energy/economic trends within the sector; projects demand for gas, oil, coal, and electricity by sector; evaluates fuel substitution possibilities from the engineering and economic (based on price elasticities) perspectives; links an industry's investment pattern and growth in energy demand, and illustrates for each industry those situations where other fuels may have a competitive advantage.