Giving Thanks – For U.S. Energy

Jessica Lutz
Posted November 26, 2020

Thanksgiving celebrations may look different for many Americans this year as gatherings are fewer and farther between, with social distancing and perhaps even remote family get-togethers. But as we adapt and adjust to ensure a safe holiday season, let’s still remember some of the many reasons to be thankful this Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving costs are staying low

According to the American Farm Bureau Federation’s annual cost survey of classic items found on the Thanksgiving Day dinner table, the average cost of this year’s Thanksgiving feast for 10 remains affordable at $46.90 - or less than $5.00 per person. This is a $2.01 decrease from last year’s average of $48.91.

And the cost to cook the meal? That’s staying low as well. Most Americans use an electric oven to cook Thanksgiving dinner, using about 644 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of energy – an average of 14 kWh each. That electricity is increasingly generated using natural gas, and thanks to the U.S. shale revolution, household energy expenditures have decreased nearly 15% over the last decade – even as other expenses have increased.

The Turkey Day entertainment is still on

For football fans, you probably already know that it takes energy to power your TV, but natural gas and oil play a big part in your team’s success – from the double knit polyester uniforms to the high-tech plastics of modern cleats, made from petroleum-based products.

So while it may not be the celebration that we’re used to, as we gather around the virtual table this year, let’s take a moment to be thankful for the natural gas and oil that make much of our Thanksgivings possible.