Sylvie Willis
Fossil fuels, including petroleum, natural gas, and coal, are the primary sources of energy in the United States, accounting for about 84% of total energy production in 2023. The US is a dominant force in the global energy landscape, second only to China in terms of energy usage. In 2023, the US consumed about 94 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) of primary energy, with fossil fuels making up a significant portion. While there is a growing preference for renewable energy sources, fossil fuels continue to dominate the US energy sector, presenting challenges in the transition to a sustainable and clean energy economy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Total energy used in the U.S. in 2018 | 101.2 quadrillion Btu |
| Percentage of energy from fossil fuels in 2018 | 80% |
| Percentage of energy from solar in 2018 | 1% |
| Percentage of energy from hydropower in 2018 | 2.8% |
| Percentage of energy from fossil fuels in 2020 | 74% |
| Number of CCS plants in operation worldwide in 2020 | 26 |
| Global fossil fuel subsidies in 2022 | $7 trillion |
| U.S. fossil fuel subsidies in 2022 | $760 billion |
| U.S. primary energy consumption in 2023 | 94 quadrillion Btu |
| U.S. total annual energy production in 2023 | 102.83 quadrillion Btu |
| U.S. total annual energy consumption in 2023 | 93.59 quadrillion Btu |
| Percentage of U.S. primary energy production from fossil fuels in 2023 | 84% |
| Percentage of U.S. energy consumption from fossil fuels in 2023 | 83% |
| Percentage of U.S. energy consumption from nuclear power in 2023 | 9% |
| Percentage of U.S. energy consumption from renewable energy in 2023 | 9% |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels account for 80-84% of US energy production
Fossil fuels—including petroleum, natural gas, and coal—accounted for about 80-84% of total US primary energy production in 2018 and 2023. In 2023, the US consumed about 94 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) of energy, with 83% coming from fossil fuels. This is a slight decrease from 2018, when fossil fuels accounted for 80% of the nation's energy demand, down from 84% a decade earlier.
The United States is one of the largest consumers of energy in the world, second only to China. In 2018, the total amount of energy used in the US hit 101.2 quadrillion Btu, the highest level since data collection began in 1949. Fossil fuels are the dominant source of energy in the US, but renewable energy sources are growing. In 2018, solar and wind power accounted for less than 4% of the country's energy use, with solar providing only 1% and hydropower being the biggest renewable source at 2.8%. However, public concern about climate change is driving a shift towards renewable energy sources, with 77% of Americans saying it is more important to develop alternative energy sources than to produce more fossil fuels.
The US has made some progress in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels and transitioning to a cleaner energy system. Nuclear energy, for example, has increased in recent years and accounted for about 9% of the country's energy consumption in 2023. Additionally, the number of electric vehicles and EV charging stations in the US is growing, and policies and incentives for renewable energy are being implemented at the state and federal levels. However, fossil fuel subsidies remain a roadblock to a clean energy transition, with global fossil fuel subsidies surging to a record $7 trillion in 2022, including $760 billion from the US.
The environmental and health impacts of fossil fuels are significant. Leaks from natural gas plants, wells, and pipelines emit methane, a greenhouse gas that is 25 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere. Coal combustion produces a variety of air pollutants, including sulfur dioxide, nitrogen oxides, mercury, and particulate matter, which harm human and environmental health. Oil spills, such as the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon disaster, also have devastating and long-lasting impacts on ecosystems and human health.
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Petroleum is the most-consumed energy source
Fossil fuels, including petroleum, natural gas, and coal, are the primary sources of energy in the United States. In 2023, the US consumed about 94 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) of primary energy, with fossil fuels accounting for about 84% of this total.
The transportation sector, which includes vehicles for personal travel and transporting goods, is a major consumer of petroleum. In 2023, petroleum provided about 89% of the transportation sector's primary energy consumption. However, petroleum accounted for less than 1% of the electric power sector's primary energy consumption in the same year.
While petroleum is the most-consumed energy source in the United States, other fossil fuels, such as natural gas and coal, are also significant. In 2017, the three major fossil fuels combined accounted for about 77.6% of US primary energy production. Nuclear energy and renewable sources, such as hydropower, wind, wood, and biofuels, also contribute to US energy production, but to a lesser extent.
Although fossil fuels dominate US energy consumption, there is a growing trend towards renewable energy sources. Solar and wind power use has been increasing rapidly, but as of 2018, they accounted for less than 4% of the nation's total energy production.
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Fossil fuel use is declining due to COVID-19
Fossil fuels, including petroleum, natural gas, and coal, have long dominated the United States' energy landscape. In 2018, these fossil fuels accounted for about 80% of the nation's energy demand. However, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the demand and supply of fossil fuels, leading to a decline in their usage.
The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted the energy sector, with reduced economic activity and travel restrictions causing a decline in fossil fuel consumption. This trend was observed globally, including in the United States. The pandemic's effect on the supply and demand of fossil fuel energy products resulted in a notable decrease in oil fuel consumption, gas use, and coal consumption.
In 2020, the world witnessed a sudden and abrupt change in its energy landscape due to the pandemic. Strict lockdowns and mitigation measures led to a rapid decline in the consumption of traditional fossil fuels. This had several environmental benefits, including reduced air pollution and a positive impact on energy sustainability.
The Energy Information Administration (EIA), the leading statistical and analytical agency of the US Department of Energy, highlighted the impacts of COVID-19 on fossil fuels in its Short Term Energy Outlook Aug 2020 report. The report acknowledged the reduced economic activity and travel restrictions related to the pandemic, which caused changes in energy supply and demand patterns.
While the United States has made strides in renewable energy sources, such as hydropower, wind, wood, and biofuels, fossil fuels still play a significant role in its energy mix. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production, with petroleum providing about 89% of the transportation sector's energy consumption. However, the pandemic's influence on fossil fuel usage may have accelerated the transition towards cleaner energy alternatives.
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Natural gas is responsible for 36% of US greenhouse emissions
Fossil fuels, including coal, oil, and natural gas, have long been the primary energy source in the United States. In 2018, these fossil fuels met about 80% of the country's energy demand. However, the US Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported that in 2023, fossil fuels accounted for 60% of electricity generation in utility-scale electricity generation facilities. This shift indicates a growing trend towards renewable energy sources.
Despite this positive development, the United States still uses a significant amount of energy, second only to China. In 2018, the country's total energy consumption hit 101.2 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu), the highest level since data collection began in 1949. This energy consumption has consequences for the environment, particularly concerning greenhouse gas emissions.
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO2), trap heat in the atmosphere, contributing to climate change. In 2022, the total greenhouse gas emissions in the US were 6,343.2 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent. Fossil fuel combustion is a significant contributor to these emissions, with natural gas consumption playing a notable role.
In 2023, natural gas accounted for about 36% of US energy consumption and 37% of total annual energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. This makes natural gas a significant contributor to the country's greenhouse gas emissions. The industrial sector, in particular, relies heavily on natural gas, making it the highest source of industrial sector CO2 emissions in 2023.
While the transportation sector is the largest source of direct greenhouse gas emissions, the industrial sector's reliance on natural gas highlights the complex challenge of reducing emissions across various sectors. As the US continues to transition towards renewable energy sources, addressing the emissions associated with natural gas consumption will be crucial to mitigating climate change and achieving a more sustainable energy landscape.
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Renewable energy sources are growing in the US
Fossil fuels have long been the dominant source of energy in the United States, but there is a growing trend towards renewable energy sources. In 2018, fossil fuels such as coal, oil, and natural gas accounted for about 80% of the nation's energy demand, with renewable sources like hydropower, wind, solar, and biofuels making up a much smaller portion. However, public concern about climate change and a desire to develop alternative energy sources have driven a shift towards renewables.
The US has seen dynamic growth in renewable energy sources in recent years, with solar deployment and electric vehicle (EV) sales breaking records in 2023 and 2024. Solar capacity has grown at an average of 22% annually over the last decade, with a record 32.4 GW installed in 2023, bringing the total capacity to almost 180 GW. Solar energy now provides about 3.4% of the country's total electricity supply, up from 2.8% in 2021. Texas is a leader in solar power deployment, with large photovoltaic power plants like Mount Signal Solar and Solar Star.
Wind power has also seen significant growth, becoming the largest producer of renewable electricity in the US since 2019. In 2022, wind power generated 434 terawatt-hours of electricity, accounting for 10% of the nation's electricity and 48% of renewable generation. Texas, Iowa, and Oklahoma are leading states in wind power deployment. Hydroelectric power, the second-largest producer of renewable electricity, generated around 6.2% of the nation's electricity in 2022 and 29% of renewable power.
Other renewable energy sources are also gaining traction. Battery storage capacity nearly doubled in 2024, reaching almost 29 GW, and is projected to grow by another 47% in 2025, supporting the grid when variable renewable energy technologies are unavailable. Carbon-free energy sources like geothermal and nuclear are attracting attention, with nuclear energy's share of US energy consumption at about 9% in 2023.
While the US still has a long way to go to reduce its reliance on fossil fuels, the growth of renewable energy sources is encouraging. State and federal policies, such as the Renewable Portfolio Standard (RPS) and Clean Energy Standard (CES), are expected to further support the development of clean energy.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2023, 83% to 84% of energy consumption in the US was from fossil fuels, with petroleum being the most consumed energy source, accounting for over a third (38%) of all energy usage.
The US uses the second-most energy in the world, trailing only China. In 2020, the US emitted 14% of the world's total energy-related emissions.
In 2023, 9% of the US's energy came from renewable sources. However, this number is projected to grow by an average of 3.1% annually from 2022 to 2050, compared to a 0.2% growth in total energy use.
