Mercedes Mullins
Fossil fuels have dominated the US energy mix for over a century, but the mix has changed over time. Fossil fuel consumption has increased significantly over the past 50 years, and the types of fuel relied on have shifted from solely coal to a combination of coal, oil, and gas. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production, with petroleum making up about 38% of that. In 2021, fossil fuels accounted for 79% of US primary energy consumption, with coal consumption increasing that year for the first time since 2013. While renewable energy consumption is growing in the US, fossil fuels still dominate, feeding about 80% of the nation's energy demand in 2018. So, how much fossil fuel does the average American consume?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Fossil fuel consumption in 2023 | 77.2 quadrillion British thermal units |
| Fossil fuel consumption in 2021 | 79% of primary energy consumption (97 quadrillion British thermal units) |
| Fossil fuel consumption in 2018 | 81.28 quadrillion British thermal units |
| Fossil fuel consumption in 2013 | Less than in 2021 |
| Average per capita energy use in 2000 | 349.8 million Btu |
| Petroleum consumption in 2023 | 20.25 million barrels per day or 7.39 billion barrels total |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels are the primary energy source
In 2021, fossil fuels accounted for 79% of the United States' primary energy consumption, which amounted to about 97 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu). In 2023, the total U.S. primary energy consumption was equal to about 94 quadrillion Btu, with fossil fuels making up approximately 77.2 quadrillion Btu of that figure. This represented a decrease of 1.7% compared to the previous year, with the peak in fossil fuel consumption recorded in 2018 at 81.28 quadrillion Btu.
The use of fossil fuels is dominated by certain sectors, with the electric power industry accounting for about 38% of Btu usage, followed by the transportation sector at 28%, the industrial sector at 23%, households at 7%, and commercial establishments at less than 5%. While renewable energy sources are becoming more popular, with solar and wind power usage growing rapidly, fossil fuels still dominate the U.S. energy mix. In 2023, the United States consumed an average of about 20.25 million barrels of petroleum per day, or a total of about 7.39 billion barrels for the year.
The burning of fossil fuels has severe environmental consequences, as it releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. Despite this, fossil fuel consumption is driven by energy demands and the need for electricity generation. Natural gas is the most common fuel type used for electricity production, and combined with coal, these fossil fuels account for 60% of all power production in the United States. As low-carbon sources of energy, such as nuclear and renewables, become more readily available, the transition away from fossil fuels is imperative to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
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Oil, coal, and gas are the most used
Fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—are the most used energy sources in the United States. In 2021, fossil fuels accounted for 79% of the 97 quadrillion British thermal units (quads) of primary energy consumption in the country. This figure decreased slightly in 2023, with fossil fuels accounting for about 84% of total U.S. primary energy production.
The United States has long relied on fossil fuels to meet its energy demands. In 2018, fossil fuels fed about 80% of the nation's energy demand, a slight decrease from 84% a decade earlier. The three major forms of fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—are sources of primary energy. Natural gas is the most common fuel type used for electricity generation, and combined with coal, fossil fuels account for 60% of all power production in the country.
Oil is one of the main energy sources in the U.S., predominantly used in the transportation sector as it is refined into petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel. Oil and natural gas are also used as feedstocks in the petrochemical industry and are essential in producing various products, including plastics. In 2023, the U.S. consumed an average of about 20.25 million barrels of petroleum per day, or a total of about 7.39 billion barrels for the year.
While renewable energy sources like solar and wind power have experienced rapid growth in the U.S. in recent years, they still account for a small portion of the country's energy mix. In 2018, solar and wind power accounted for less than 4% of all the energy used in the U.S. The transition from coal to a combination of oil and gas has been a global shift, with coal consumption falling in many parts of the world, while oil and gas continue to grow.
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Electricity generation uses fossil fuels
Fossil fuels, including coal, natural gas, and petroleum, have long been the primary energy sources for electricity generation in the United States. In 2023, about 60% of electricity generation in the US came from fossil fuels, with natural gas and coal being the dominant sources. This is a slight decrease from 2021, when fossil fuels accounted for 60% of total electric generation, with natural gas providing 38% and coal 23%. Petroleum, another fossil fuel, contributed about 0.4% of US electricity generation in 2023, mainly through steam turbines and internal-combustion engines.
The use of fossil fuels for electricity generation has significant environmental implications. Fossil fuels are the largest source of carbon emissions in the US, with petroleum, natural gas, and coal being the biggest contributors. In 2022, 74% of US GHG emissions came from burning fossil fuels. However, due to the increased use of natural gas and the decline of coal, emissions from these two fossil fuels combined have decreased by 25% since 2008.
While renewable energy sources are growing rapidly in the US, they still only account for a small portion of the country's total energy production. In 2018, solar power experienced a 46-fold increase in energy production compared to 2008, but it still only accounted for 1% of the nation's total energy production. Hydropower, the biggest renewable energy source, accounted for 2.8% of total production, while wind, wood, and biofuels made up smaller portions. Overall, renewable energy sources provided about 9% of total primary energy production in 2023, a record high driven mainly by increases in solar and wind energy production.
Despite the growth of renewable energy, the US still provides significant subsidies to the fossil fuel industry. In 2022, global fossil fuel subsidies surged to a record $7 trillion, with $760 billion coming from the US. These subsidies act as a roadblock to transitioning to a clean energy system. However, there are signs that the US is committed to increasing renewable energy generation. The US joined 132 other countries in pledging to triple the world's installed renewable energy generation capacity by 2030. Additionally, 18 states have set goals to reach 100% clean energy, and the federal government offers tax credits for purchasing electric vehicles.
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Transportation uses 28% of energy
Fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—are sources of primary energy. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for about 84% of total U.S. primary energy production. The United States consumed approximately 77.2 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) of energy from fossil fuels in 2023, a slight decrease from 2022.
The transportation sector accounted for about 28% of total energy use in the United States. This is because oil, a fossil fuel, is predominantly used in the transportation sector. Oil is refined into petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel, and jet fuel, which are used for vehicles such as cars, trucks, and planes. The demand for these petroleum products is high in the United States, with approximately 20.25 million barrels of petroleum consumed per day in 2023, totalling about 7.39 billion barrels for the year.
The high consumption of petroleum products in the transportation sector contributes to the overall high consumption of fossil fuels in the United States. This sector's energy usage has an environmental impact, as burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming.
To address the environmental concerns associated with fossil fuel consumption, there has been a push for alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power. While renewable energy sources have been rapidly growing, fossil fuels still dominated the U.S. energy mix for more than 100 years. However, there is a gradual shift towards low-carbon energy sources, with renewable energy consumption increasing slightly from 11.5 quads in 2020 to a record of 12.2 quads in 2021.
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Fossil fuel consumption is decreasing
The shift away from fossil fuels towards low-carbon sources of energy, such as nuclear and renewables, is also a factor in the decline of fossil fuel consumption. Renewable energy sources, such as wind and solar power, are becoming more widely adopted, with renewable energy consumption in the US increasing slightly from 11.4 quads in 2019 to a record high of 11.6 quads in 2020. While fossil fuel consumption has decreased, renewable energy consumption has continued to rise to new records.
US coal consumption has also been declining, falling to 9.2 quads in 2020, the lowest level in 116 years. This decrease is largely due to reduced use in the electric power sector. Coal consumption in the US has fallen by more than half since its peak in 2005, and in 2020, it accounted for only 13% of US fossil fuel consumption, the lowest annual share since 1949.
Natural gas, on the other hand, has increased in usage. In 2020, natural gas accounted for 43% of US fossil fuel usage, mostly for electricity generation and heating. This was the largest annual share on record. However, despite the increase in natural gas usage, the overall trend shows a decrease in fossil fuel consumption in the US, with 2020 seeing the lowest level of consumption in almost three decades.
The burning of fossil fuels has severely impacted the Earth's climate, and the pollution caused by their use has put the industry under scrutiny. As a result, there is a growing need to transition to low-carbon sources of energy and reduce the consumption of finite fossil fuels. Fossil fuel consumption in the US is decreasing, and this trend is expected to continue as the country moves towards cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuel usage varies depending on the sector. In 2000, the average American used about 349.8 million Btu. In 2021, fossil fuels accounted for 79% of the 97 quadrillion British thermal units (quads) of primary energy consumption in the United States.
Petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, and jet fuel are consumed by Americans. In 2023, the United States consumed a total of about 7.39 billion barrels of petroleum.
The transportation sector accounted for about 28% of total energy use in the United States.
