Washington & Jefferson College Energy Index

The Washington & Jefferson College Energy Index is an index measuring American energy independence.^[1][2] The Index describes the amount of energy produced in America versus the total energy consumption in America.^[1] On a scale of 1 to 100, 1 represents total dependence and 100 represents total independence.^[1] In 2012, the Index was 74.^[3] Regional figures are produced, and historical figures have been developed back to 1949.^[1] The Index showed that by 2012, American energy independence had decreased by 22% since the tenure of President Harry Truman.^[4]

The Index is authored by Professors Leslie Dunn and Robert Dunn, of the Washington & Jefferson College Department of Economics and Business.^[5][6] The Index utilizes publicly available energy data, analyzed with a proprietary algorithm.^[7] Additionally, the energy index has also been used to analyze more local energy use, including Washington & Jefferson College energy use in dormitories from 2001-2012.^[8]

The index is reproduced as an infographic by the Associated Press for national distribution.^[9]

The Index was unveiled in 2012's W&J Energy Summit, with Susan Eisenhower, of The Eisenhower Institute, and journalist Eleanor Clift leading the discussions.^[10]