According to a report recently released by the U.S. Dept. of Energy, between 2007 and 2008 renewable energy consumption in the U.S. grew by 7%, despite an overall 2% drop in energy consumption due to the economic slowdown and modest conservation efforts. Most of the renewable energy used in 2008 stemmed from biomass and hydroelectric energy. Solar energy, geothermal and wind energy amounted to small portions of the renewable energy range. However, of those categories, wind energy experienced the most growth.
The reports showed that usage of biomass, defined as “biofuels, waste (landfill gas, MSW biogenic, and other biomass) wood and wood-derived fuel,” increased 8% from 2007 to 2008, and has increased 28% since 2004, the first year referenced in the report.
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