The U.S. economy has grown at breakneck speed over the last eight years. Traditionally, economic growth of this kind has been accompanied by a large increase in energy demand. Yet while energy demand has indeed risen, it has done so at a slower rate than expected.
Experts agree that the Internet is playing a role, but what role is the subject of debate.
Some say the Internet is causing a reduction in energy use, while others argue the Internet is actually sucking up more juice. The Energy Information Administration's Annual Energy Outlook, which was released on Friday, projects that over the next 20 years, energy intensity will drop almost 30 percent faster than it has for the last 50 years. Romm and others believe that the shift in energy intensity is a result of the Internet's influence on the economy. He says that telecommuting, access to readily available information and even online auctions are leading to significant energy savings. Romm's view isn't necessarily gospel.