Mercedes Mullins
Fossil fuels have long been the primary source of energy in the United States, and they continue to dominate the country's energy mix. In 2023, fossil fuels accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production, with petroleum, natural gas, and coal being the major contributors. While the mix has evolved over time, fossil fuels have consistently accounted for a significant proportion of US energy consumption, with Americans using energy for various sectors, including homes, businesses, industry, and transportation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Percentage of total U.S. primary energy production by fossil fuels in 2023 | 84% |
| Percentage of total U.S. primary energy production by fossil fuels in 2017 | 77.6% |
| Percentage of total U.S. primary energy production by fossil fuels in 2018 | 80% |
| Percentage of total U.S. primary energy production by fossil fuels in 1978 | 49% |
| Percentage of total U.S. primary energy production by fossil fuels in 2023 (in quads) | 35 |
| Percentage of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels | 8% more in 2022 compared to 2020 |
| Percentage of U.S. carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels in 2021 | 46% |
| Fossil fuel with the highest carbon dioxide emissions in 2021 | Petroleum |
| Fossil fuel with the second-highest carbon dioxide emissions in 2021 | Natural gas |
| Fossil fuel with the third-highest carbon dioxide emissions in 2021 | Coal |
| Percentage of U.S. electricity generation from fossil fuels in 2023 | 60% |
| Percentage of U.S. electricity generation from natural gas in 2021 | 38% |
| Percentage of U.S. electricity generation from coal in 2021 | 23% |
| Percentage of U.S. electricity generation from petroleum in 2021 | <1% |
| Percentage of U.S. energy consumption by the industrial sector | 32% |
| Percentage of U.S. energy consumption by the transportation sector | 29% |
| Percentage of U.S. energy consumption by the residential sector | 20% |
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What You'll Learn
Fossil fuels account for 84% of energy production
Fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production in 2023. This figure has changed over time, with petroleum consumption peaking in the US during the 1970s at 49% of total energy consumption. In 2023, petroleum consumption was at 38%.
The US is the world's second-largest producer and consumer of electricity, generating 15% of the world's electricity supply. Fossil fuels make up the majority of this generation, with natural gas providing 38% and coal 23% in 2021. In 2023, about 60% of electricity generation was from fossil fuels, with 19% from nuclear energy and 21% from renewable sources.
The US has seen a rapid increase in the use of solar and wind power over the past decade, but as of 2018, these sources accounted for less than 4% of all energy used in the country. Fossil fuels have dominated the US energy mix for over 100 years, and while the use of renewables is increasing, fossil fuels have remained at around 80% for the past 30 years.
The largest sources of carbon emissions in the US are fossil fuels, with petroleum contributing 46%, natural gas 35%, and coal 19%. Fossil fuels in the US produced 8% more carbon dioxide in 2022 compared to 2020. Despite this, the cost of some fossil fuels is declining, and renewables are becoming more affordable.
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Petroleum and coal are the most energy-intensive industries
Fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production in 2023. In 2023, fossil fuels generated 2,509 TWh of electricity, accounting for 60% of all electricity generation in the US. The largest sources of carbon pollution from energy were petroleum (46%), natural gas (35%), and coal (19%). Petroleum and coal are the most energy-intensive industries, with over 30 billion British thermal units (BTU) per employee.
The energy-intensive manufacturing subsectors—chemicals, petroleum and coal products, paper, primary metals, food, and nonmetallic minerals products—equalled 16.9 quadrillion BTU, or 87% of total manufacturing energy consumption. The three largest energy-consuming manufacturing subsectors—chemicals, petroleum and coal products, and paper—combined to consume nearly 70% of total manufacturing energy use in 2018.
The transportation sector accounts for most oil consumption. Petroleum's share of total US energy consumption peaked in the 1970s. In 1978, total petroleum consumption was about 49% (38 quads) of total US energy consumption. In 2023, petroleum's share of total US energy consumption was about 38% (35 quads). Crude oil made up 24% of production in 2021.
Coal accounted for 7% of the total manufacturing energy feedstock use in 2018, of which about 60% was used by primary metals manufacturers (for making iron and steel), and the remainder was used by petroleum and coal products manufacturers. Coal is the world's oldest industrial source of energy and is still a dominant source of energy across the world. However, coal is the world's dirtiest fuel, emitting the most carbon dioxide emissions per unit of energy and severely impacting health through air pollution.
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Fossil fuels are the largest source of carbon emissions
The burning of fossil fuels is the primary source of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion increased by 8% in 2022 compared to 2020 and by 1% compared to 2021. Fossil fuels in the United States produced 8% more carbon dioxide in 2022 than in 2020. The transportation sector is the largest source of direct greenhouse gas emissions, with over 94% of the fuel used for transportation being petroleum-based, including gasoline and diesel. The industrial sector is the highest energy end-use sector, while the commercial and residential sectors use fossil fuels for heat and gases for refrigeration and cooling in buildings.
The United States is the world's second-largest producer and consumer of electricity, generating 15% of the world's electricity supply. Fossil fuels have long been the dominant source of energy in the US, and while the cost of some fossil fuels is declining, renewables are becoming more affordable at a faster rate. Despite this, the use of fossil fuels has remained at around 80% for the past 30 years. In 2023, fossil fuels generated 60% of electricity in the US, with natural gas providing 38%, coal 23%, and petroleum less than 1%.
The production of natural gas liquids (NGLs), which are liquid hydrocarbons obtained from natural gas fields, has tripled from 2000 to 2022, and the US now leads the world in NGL production. Crude oil production has also increased, making up 24% of production in 2021, surpassing its previous peak in 1970. While emissions from gas and coal combined have decreased by 25% since 2008, petroleum emissions have only declined by 17% during the same period.
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Fossil fuel usage varies by industry
The transportation sector is the largest consumer of primary fossil fuel energy in the United States. In 2023, the sector consumed over 26.1 quadrillion British thermal units (BTU) of fossil fuel energy, with petroleum-based motor fuels being the primary source. The transportation sector's reliance on fossil fuels is due to gasoline and diesel being the most common motor fuels, and the sector accounted for 50% of the combustible fuels in the transportation sector.
The electric power sector is another major consumer of fossil fuel energy, although its consumption has been declining in recent years. In 2023, fossil fuels generated 60% of the electricity in the United States, with coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases being the primary sources. The industrial sector, including the paper industry, is also a significant consumer of fossil fuel energy, with natural gas being used for process heating and boilers.
The production of crude oil, dry natural gas, and natural gas plant liquids (NGPL) has increased in the US in recent years, contributing to a decline in natural gas prices. Natural gas liquids (NGL) production has tripled from 2000 to 2022, and the US leads the world in NGL production. Despite the continued dominance of fossil fuels, renewable energy production and consumption reached record highs in 2023, with solar, wind, and geothermal energy seeing significant growth.
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Fossil fuel production is rising, but so is non-fossil fuel production
Fossil fuels have been a dominant energy source in the US for over a century, and they continue to play a significant role. In 2023, fossil fuels—including petroleum, natural gas, and coal—accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production. This equates to around 2,509 terawatt-hours (TWh) of electricity, with fossil fuels generating 60% of all electricity generation in the US that year.
However, it's important to note that the US energy landscape is evolving. While fossil fuel production remains high, the mix has changed over time, and renewable energy sources are increasingly contributing to the country's energy supply. In 2023, about 21% of electricity generation in the US came from renewable sources, and this share is expected to grow.
The transition towards renewable energy is driven by the negative impacts of fossil fuels. When burned, they release carbon dioxide (CO2), contributing significantly to global climate change and local air pollution. The transportation sector, which relies heavily on petroleum, is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, with oil combustion responsible for 45% of US energy-related CO2 emissions in 2020. Additionally, the extraction and transportation of oil pose environmental and safety risks, with thousands of oil spills occurring each year in the US, including major disasters like the 2010 BP Deepwater Horizon spill.
To address these issues, the US is transitioning to low-carbon and renewable energy sources. Gas, while still a fossil fuel, has been replacing coal in the energy mix, leading to a 25% reduction in emissions from these sources combined by 2021. Hydropower, biomass, wind, geothermal, and solar energy are all increasingly contributing to the US energy mix, and while nuclear energy is another zero-carbon alternative, its high cost and radioactive waste remain concerns.
In summary, while fossil fuel production remains high in the US, non-fossil fuel production is also rising. The country is gradually transitioning to cleaner energy sources to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of fossil fuels. As costs for renewables decrease and their availability increases, the US is expected to further reduce its reliance on fossil fuels in the coming years.
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Frequently asked questions
Fossil fuels accounted for about 84% of total US primary energy production in 2023. This figure has remained near 80% for the past 30 years.
Fossil fuels—petroleum, natural gas, and coal—are the primary energy sources in the US.
Fossil fuels generated 60% of America's electricity in 2023.
In 2023, total US primary energy consumption was about 94 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu). The US produced 3,988 terawatt-hours (TWh) in 2021.
