What powers the US? Petroleum. In 2024, petroleum was the nation’s most-consumed energy source, accounting for over a third (38%) of all energy usage. Natural gas was also over a third (36%). The rest of the country’s energy came from nuclear electric power, coal, and renewable energy, each accounting for 8% to 9% of consumption.
What kinds of energy does the US use?
Coal
Coal consumption was on par with natural gas as recently as 2006. But a more efficient coal type, plus cheaper energy competition, has caused coal consumption to drop by 65% since its peak in 2005.
Coal consumption is now at similar levels to nuclear energy, and renewables, all between 8 and 9 quadrillion British thermal units (BTUs) annually. In 2005, coal consumption was 22.8 BTUs per year.
Coal consumption has dropped 65% since its peak in 2005.
US primary energy consumption in quadrillion British thermal units (BTUs), 1949–2024
Petroleum and natural gas
Petroleum has been the top source of US energy since 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: transportation uses 68% of the petroleum consumed nationwide. The industrial sector used 27%, residential used 3%, commercial used 2%, and electric power used less than 1%.
Natural gas is the second highest source of US energy. Since 1949, its consumption fluctuated between 17%–36%. It’s also used by all five energy-use sectors, with the highest percentage used in:
- electric power (41%)
- industrial (32%)
- residential (13%)
- commercial (10%), and
- transportation (4%)
Petroleum and natural gas are nearly three-quarters of US energy consumption.
Share of US primary energy consumption by source type, 1949–2024
Renewable energy
Renewable energy has long been part of the US energy picture. However, consumption has fluctuated between 3% and 9% since 1949.
Renewables are most often used in the electric power sector (41%), followed by industrial (26%), transportation (22%), residential (8%), and commercial (3%) sectors.
Renewables were 9% of US energy consumption in 2024.
US primary energy consumption in quadrillion British thermal units (BTUs), 1949–2024
There are five energy types within the renewable technology sector: biomass, wind, solar, hydroelectric and geothermal.
At nearly 5 quadrillion BTUs, biomass is the most consumed — making up 58% renewable energy sources consumed. Biomass is energy that comes from plants and animals. Materials such as firewood and ethanol are biomass products.
How does America get its energy?
Biomass is 58% of renewable energy consumption.
US primary energy consumption by renewable energy type in quadrillion British thermal units (BTUs), 1949–2024
Nuclear
The US did not consume nuclear energy from the grid until 1957. Like renewables, it has never exceeded 10% of the country’s consumption.
In 2024, nuclear energy was used exclusively by the electrical power system.
Nuclear energy was 9% of US energy consumption in 2024.
US primary energy consumption in quadrillion British thermal units (BTUs), 1949–2024
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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