Industrial energy conservation

Energy consumption by industry declined 8% between 1973 and 1981 and by 13% for the basic materials industry. Investments by the energy-intensive sector and energy conservation efforts suggest that energy use growth by industry would have been stagnant, and will continue to be so, even without the economic recession and slowdown of production. Important components in this analysis and its conclusion are the declining role of materials in the economy and the reduction of energy intensities in relation to real dollar of value added. The strength of industries supplying energy-saving equipment and services and effective energy-management efforts on the part of consumers will continue to hold down energy consumption. 66 references, 3 figures, 7 tables.