ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Energy Information Administration

Energy Information Administration (EIA) is an organization that collects and provides information about energy. Think of energy as the stuff that makes things go - like the electricity that powers the TV. To understand energy better, we need to collect and analyze data about things like how much energy is being used, where it's coming from, and how much it costs. This is where EIA comes in.

EIA collects information from different sources - like businesses, government agencies, and even individuals - to create a big picture of energy use in the United States. They then use this information to create reports, graphs, and charts that help people understand how energy is being used in different parts of the country, and over time.

For example, EIA might collect information about how much energy is being used to power homes in a particular city. They might also collect information about how much energy is being used to power factories, hospitals, or schools in that same city. By putting all of this information together, they could create a report that shows how much energy is being used in the entire city. They might also be able to compare this data to previous years to see if energy use is going up or down.

EIA has a lot of different people who work there - scientists, analysts, and other experts who know a lot about energy. They work hard to make sure that the information they provide is accurate, up-to-date, and helpful for anyone who wants to understand more about energy. So, the next time you turn on the light or start up the car, remember that there are people at EIA who know all about the energy you're using!