The data in the February 15, 2012 release include preliminary estimates
of industrial capacity for 2012. Measured fourth quarter to fourth
quarter, total industrial capacity is projected to rise 1.0 percent this
year after having increased 1.1 percent in 2011. Manufacturing
capacity is estimated to advance 0.9 percent in 2012 after having gained
0.8 percent in 2011. Mining capacity is estimated to rise 1.1 percent
in 2012 after having moved up 2.1 percent in 2011, and capacity at
electric and natural gas utilities is projected to expand 2.4 percent
this year, which is 0.4 percentage point faster than the increase
recorded last year. These estimates will be updated with the
publication on March 30, 2012, of the annual revision to industrial
production, capacity, and capacity utilization.
