Over 75 thousand manufacturing establishments participated in at least one energy management activity in 1998--up from 45 thousand in 1994 (Note: "1994" represents energy management activity during 1992 to 1994 but recorded on the 1994 MECS--"1998" represents 1998 activity).

Although participation increased in 1998, the number of establishments participating was only 33 percent of all manufacturing establishments.  

In the 1994 MECS, the 45 thousand establishments undertaking energy management activities between 1992 and 1994 actually represents establishments using 76 percent of fuel consumption in 1994 and only 18 percent of all establishments. This suggests that more of the larger energy-consuming establishments are undertaking energy-management activities than are the smaller energy-using establishments. (Note: Energy use data for participants were not available in the 1998 MECS.)

Standby generation programs showed the most increase in program participation (110 percent) while energy rebates decreased by 62 percent and energy audits by 8 percent--programs that in a totally regulated electricity sector were routinely offered by electricity utilities in their demand-side management programs.

Federal Government-Sponsored Programs showed large increases in participation-- especially EPA's Energy Star Program where 4 times as many establishments participated in 1998 as in 1994.

Manufacturers were actively engaged in activities to increase energy efficiency--especially in direct process cooling, HVAC, and direct machine drive.