Ameer Randolph
Fossil fuels have dominated the US energy mix for over a century, but this has started to change in recent years. Fossil fuels—including petroleum, natural gas, and coal—accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production in 2023, down from 84% a decade earlier. In 2022, fossil fuels accounted for 60% of all power production in the country, with natural gas being the most common fuel type used for electricity generation. Despite the growth of renewable energy sources, fossil fuel consumption in the US remains high.
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels account for 83% of US energy consumption
Fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—have dominated the US energy mix for over a century. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for 83% of US energy consumption. This is a slight decrease from 2018, when fossil fuels fed about 80% of the nation's energy demand, and 84% a decade earlier.
The US uses a lot of energy, second only to China by one estimate. In 2018, the total amount of energy used in the US hit 101.2 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu), the highest level since data collection began in 1949. In 2023, total US primary energy consumption was about 94 quadrillion Btu.
The contribution of coal to total US energy consumption has been declining. In 1950, coal accounted for about 37% of US energy consumption, but this had dropped to 16% by 2018, and 9% in 2023. This is largely due to the US electric power sector increasing its use of other energy sources, such as natural gas, and reducing coal consumption. In 2023, coal production accounted for about 11% of US total energy production.
The use of renewable energy in the US is growing. Solar power, for example, has experienced the largest percentage growth of any US energy source over the past decade. In 2008, solar power generated just over 2 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity, but by 2018, this had increased to more than 93 billion kilowatt-hours, a nearly 46-fold increase. Despite this growth, solar and wind power combined accounted for less than 4% of all the energy used in the US as of 2018.
Fossil fuels are finite resources, and burning them has severely impacted Earth's climate. Fossil fuels are the primary source of US greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to global warming. In 2022, 74% of US greenhouse gas emissions came from burning fossil fuels.
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US fossil fuel consumption by sector
Fossil fuel consumption in the US fell by 9% in 2020, the lowest level in almost 30 years. This decrease was driven by a 15% reduction in the energy consumption of the transportation sector due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Warmer weather in 2020 also reduced the demand for heating fuels.
The transportation sector is the largest consumer of primary fossil fuel energy in the US. Petroleum products, including motor gasoline, distillate fuel oil, and hydrocarbon gas liquids, accounted for 44% of US fossil fuel consumption in 2020. The transportation sector accounted for about 68% of total petroleum consumption in 2020. Gasoline and diesel are the most common motor fuels.
The electric power sector is the second-largest consumer of fossil fuels. In 2020, this sector accounted for a record-high 38% of total natural gas consumption to generate electricity and heat. The electric power sector consumed about 90% of total coal consumption in 2020. However, the use of coal for electricity generation has been steadily declining, with natural gas and renewable energy sources increasingly being used instead.
The residential and commercial sectors also consume fossil fuels, with over 80% of their energy consumption being natural gas for space heating.
In 2023, petroleum accounted for about 38% of US energy consumption, but it was responsible for 47% of energy-related CO2 emissions. The industrial sector was the highest energy end-use sector in 2023, but the transportation sector emitted more CO2 due to its near-complete dependence on petroleum fuels.
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Fossil fuels and climate change
Fossil fuels—coal, oil, and natural gas—are the primary sources of energy in the United States, and their use has had a severe impact on Earth's climate. Burning fossil fuels releases carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to global warming. In 2022, 74% of US greenhouse gas emissions came from burning fossil fuels.
The United States is one of the world's largest consumers of energy, second only to China. In 2018, the total amount of energy used in the US hit 101.2 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu), the highest level since data collection began in 1949. Fossil fuels accounted for about 80% of the nation's energy demand in 2018, a slight decrease from 84% a decade earlier.
While renewable energy sources like solar and wind power have experienced rapid growth in recent years, they still account for a small percentage of the country's total energy consumption. In 2018, solar and wind power combined contributed to less than 4% of the energy used in the US. In contrast, fossil fuels accounted for 60% of all power production in the US in 2022, with natural gas being the most common fuel type for electricity generation.
The US has made some progress in reducing its reliance on fossil fuels. For example, coal consumption has declined significantly, dropping 64% since its peak in 2005. Additionally, US fossil fuel consumption as a percentage of total energy consumption is projected to decrease from 66% in 2023 to 29% by 2050, while renewable energy use is projected to grow by an average of 3.1% annually during the same period. However, these projected levels of fossil fuel consumption are inconsistent with meeting IPCC carbon reduction goals.
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US fossil fuel exports
The United States has been a net exporter of fossil fuels since 2019. This means that its exports of fossil fuels (including coal, crude oil, and natural gas) exceed its imports.
Crude Oil Exports
In 2022, the US imported about 6.28 million barrels of crude oil per day and exported about 3.58 million barrels per day, making it a net importer. However, in 2015, a 40-year ban on exporting crude oil was lifted, and since then, US crude oil exports have skyrocketed. The US is now the world's fifth-largest exporter of crude oil. Projects like the Sea Port Oil Terminal (SPOT) in Texas and the Blue Marlin Offshore Port in Louisiana have the capacity to export up to 2 million barrels of crude oil per day.
Natural Gas Exports
The US has also become the world's largest exporter of liquefied natural gas (LNG). This transformation is attributed to the fracking revolution and the construction of LNG export terminals. In 2023, US natural gas exports reached a record high, accounting for about 26% of total energy exports.
Coal Exports
The US has been a net exporter of coal since at least 1949. In 2023, coal exports increased by about 15%, contributing to about 8% of total energy exports.
Petroleum Products Exports
The US also exports petroleum products, such as gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, and jet fuel, which are refined from imported crude oil. In 2023, petroleum product exports accounted for about 36% of total energy exports.
Overall, US exports of primary energy (including fossil fuels) have been increasing since 2002, while imports have been declining. This trend has contributed to the US becoming a net exporter of energy and fossil fuels in recent years.
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US fossil fuel imports
The United States has historically been a net importer of fossil fuels, particularly crude oil and petroleum products. However, in recent years, the US has become a net exporter of fossil fuels, with exports exceeding imports.
In 2023, the US imported about 8.51 million barrels per day (b/d) of petroleum from 86 countries. Crude oil accounted for about 76% of these imports, with the remaining consisting of hydrocarbon gas liquids, refined petroleum products, and biofuels. The top five source countries for US petroleum imports in 2023 were Canada, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, Iraq, and Brazil.
US crude oil imports and exports both increased in 2023, and the United States remained a net crude oil importer. Crude oil accounted for the largest percentage share of US total energy imports, at nearly 66%. Some of the imported crude oil is refined into petroleum products, such as gasoline, heating oil, diesel fuel, and jet fuel, which are then exported.
The US has been a net exporter of natural gas since 2017 and a net exporter of coal since at least 1949. In 2023, US coal exports increased by about 15%, while coal imports decreased by about 35%. US natural gas exports reached a record high in 2023, with a 10% increase in total exports, while natural gas imports decreased by about 3%.
While the US has made strides towards energy independence, it still relies on imports from other countries, particularly Canada and Mexico, to meet its energy demands. Proponents of US energy independence advocate for a greater focus on domestic feedstocks, such as natural gas and biomass, as well as alternative fuels such as ethanol, methanol, and biodiesel, to reduce dependence on foreign oil and improve energy security.
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Frequently asked questions
In 2023, the US consumed 93.59 quads of energy, with fossil fuels accounting for 83% of this consumption. In 2018, fossil fuels fed about 80% of the nation's energy demand, with coal, oil, and natural gas being the most common sources.
Fossil fuels have dominated the US energy mix for over a century, but the mix has changed. Coal consumption has declined, with the contribution of coal to total US energy consumption dropping from about 37% in 1950 to 9% in 2023. Oil and natural gas consumption have also decreased since 2009.
The growth of renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind power, has contributed to the US's move away from fossil fuels. Public concern about climate change and the environmental impact of burning fossil fuels has also played a role. Additionally, government policies favoring renewable energy sources and carbon cap-and-trade policies have accelerated the transition.
