EIA Continues Manufacturing Energy Use Survey

You might care about this because the U.S. Energy Information Administration, also known as EIA, plans to keep collecting important information about how manufacturers use energy. They are extending their Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey Report, called Form EIA-846, for another three years. This survey is a key part of how the government gathers facts about energy across the country. It asks manufacturing businesses about the energy they use, how much they spend on it, and details about their buildings. This includes things like buying electricity, generating power on site, and their ability to switch between different types of fuel. The information gathered helps to update national energy models and data about greenhouse gases. The survey content for 2026 will be the same as it was in 2022. Most businesses will submit their answers online using a question-and-answer format, which is a change from the old spreadsheet method. This ongoing effort helps everyone understand energy use in manufacturing better. What is particularly interesting about this notice is that while the survey itself will continue without changes to its questions, the way businesses submit their data is evolving. The EIA wants most participants to use an electronic question-and-answer system instead of spreadsheets. This could make it easier and more efficient for many to report their information. The survey specifically targets manufacturing businesses, focusing on those within certain industry codes, known as NAICS codes 31-33. The data collected helps the government create detailed reports and statistics on energy consumption within this important sector. This includes tracking purchases, costs, and even how energy is transferred or used on site. The survey is also crucial for keeping the National Energy Modeling System up to date, which helps forecast energy trends and track greenhouse gas data. It also provides important benchmarks for historical industrial energy use. This consistent data collection ensures that policymakers and researchers have reliable information. People who would be most interested in this legal document include businesses in the manufacturing sector, especially those that fall under NAICS codes 31-33. These are the businesses that might be asked to participate in the survey. Energy analysts, researchers, and economists will also find this document important because the survey results provide valuable data for their studies and forecasts. Government agencies and policymakers who deal with energy use, industrial policy, or environmental regulations will also pay close attention. They rely on this data to make informed decisions and understand energy trends. Anyone interested in the energy consumption patterns of the U.S. manufacturing industry or in national energy modeling will find this notice relevant. It ensures the continued availability of current and historical energy information for a key economic sector.