What powers the US? Petroleum. In 2023, petroleum was the nation’s most-consumed energy source, accounting for over a third (38%) of all energy usage.[1] Natural gas was also over a third (36%). The remaining energy consumption was from nuclear electric power, coal, and renewable energy, all at 9% each.[2]
How has US energy consumption changed over time?
Coal
Coal consumption was on par with natural gas as recently as 2006. But, like coal production, consumption has declined, dropping 64% since its peak in 2005. The electric power sector now uses more efficient, lower heat content coal, which requires less coal to produce energy. This more efficient coal type has led to lower consumption.
Coal consumption is now at similar levels to nuclear energy, and renewables, all around 8 quadrillion British thermal units (BTUs) per year. At coal’s peak in 2005, consumption was 22.8 BTUs per year.
Petroleum and natural gas
Petroleum has been the top source of US energy since data tracking began in 1950. In 1977 and 1978, it peaked at 49% of all of US energy consumption.
All primary energy-use sectors —electric power, transportation, industrial, residential, and commercial — use this fossil fuel.
Usage varies widely by industry, however — 70% of petroleum goes to transportation, 24% to industrial, 3% to residential, 3% to commercial, and less than 1% to electric power.
Natural gas is the second highest source of US energy. Since 1950, its consumption fluctuated between 18.0%–36.0%. Natural gas is also used by all five energy-use sectors, with the highest percentage going to electric power (40%), industrial (32%), residential (14%), commercial (10%), and transportation (4%).
Renewable energy
Renewable energy has long been part of US energy consumption but has never exceeded 10%. It has fluctuated between 3% and 9% since 1950.
Renewables are most often used in the electric power sector (39%), followed by industrial (27%), transportation (22%), residential (9%), and commercial (3%) sectors.
Nuclear
Nuclear energy was not a contributor to US energy until 1958. Like renewables, has not exceeded 10% of consumption.
In 2023, nuclear energy was used entirely by the electrical power system. Transportation, residential, commercial, and industrial sectors did not use nuclear power.
In 2020, nuclear accounted for 9.3% of the energy used in the US. That’s the highest the rate has ever been and it’s remained at similar levels ever since.
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[1] 2023 data is preliminary.
[2] Sum of components may not equal 100% because of independent rounding.
