energy information administration natural gas annual 1997 35 consumption total in reached 22 trillion cubic feet virtually unchanged from the 1996 level but among highest levels ever recorded has accounted for 25 percent of united states since 1992 and this share was maintained increases commercial electric utility sectors were offset by declines residen tial industrial set a new record 3 2 surpassing previous high year ago deliveries to consumers which include cogenerators represented 44 residential sector is driven primarily weather related space heating requirements it dropped 5 0 warm during first quarter explains most decline temperatures march very cold resulting degree days that 14 below normal warmer than had
