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Floorspace:  Total Floorspace Shows Little Growth as 
Energy-Using Industries Reduce Floorspace 

In 1998, the total enclosed floorspace of all manufacturing establishments did not change significantly between 1994 and 1998--implying slightly larger establishments, on average, as the number of establishments fell by 8 percent. Between 1994 and 1998, most of the energy-using industries such as paper, petroleum, nonmetalic minerals including glass, and primary metals reduced floorspace substantially as the number of establishments were less for each industry.  The food industry, the exception, had 26 percent less floorspace in 1998 than in 1994--possibly due to the removing of beverages from the food industry classification.  However, the food industry had more establishments in 1998 than in 1994--implying smaller establishments.  In 1994 the food industry had 80.8 thousand square feet per establishment falling to 65.1 thousand square feet per establishment in 1998--a 19 percent drop. While the chemical industry lost  6 percent of its establishments establishments, it gained over 50 percent more floorspace-- the intensity (1000 square feet per establishment) doubled from 91 in 1994 to 182 in 1998.  However, a contributing factor may be the change in the classification from SIC to NAICS.  This resulted in the reclassification of other industries into the chemical industry such as photographic equipment and lead pencils and art goods. Between 1994 and 1998, the petroleum industry dramatically reduced floorspace-- from 245 million square feet to 88 million square feet.  However, unlike the chemical industry, the reclassification of the petroleum industry had little effect other than the addition of coke ovens to the industry under the NAICS classification.   Fuel consumption was 11 percent higher in 1998 than in 1994 as refinery capacity increased while the number of refineries declined*. *Energy Information Administration, U.S. Refineries and Refining Capacities, 1987-2001

For specific questions about "Floorspace," please contact:

Stephanie J. Battles
stephanie.battles@eia.doe.gov
Phone: 202-586-7237
Fax:  202-586-0018

For specific questions about the Manufacturing Energy Consumption Survey, please contact:

 Robert Adler, Survey Manager
 robert.adler@eia.doe.gov
 Phone: 202-586-1134
 Fax:  202-586-0018

Release Date:  July 31, 2002