Top 5 Sources Of Energy In The US

For most people, thinking about energy begins and ends with the flick of a light switch. However, there is so much more that goes into the generation of the electricity we use on a daily basis.

The United States alone relies on several different methods for generating the energy that some might take for granted. If you’ve ever wondered which are the most common in the United States, check out the top five energy sources listed below.

Natural Gas

In 2015, natural gas accounted for 32 percent of energy production in the United States. Natural gas comes from shale deposits deep within the Earth. Interestingly enough, the United States currently uses almost 99 percent of the natural gas it produces.

Petroleum

Though it’s produced in more than 30 states across the nation, sixty-five percent of US crude oil comes from five different states: Texas (37%), North Dakota (12%), California (6%), Alaska (5%), and Oklahoma (5%). In terms of international production, the US produces approximately 11 percent of the world’s total crude oil supply.

Coal

Coal still accounts for more than 20 percent of energy production in the United States. In fact, most people are unaware that their household electricity may be partially powered by coal. Wyoming produces the most coal in the country, at 40 percent of the total volume, followed by West Virginia, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. In global terms, coal-fired power plants account for 41 percent of electricity production.

Nuclear Power

Nuclear powered energy still accounts for about 19.5 percent of the country’s electric energy production. The United States currently has 99 active commercial nuclear reactors in about 30 states from coast to coast with a handful of new reactors in the building process. This form of energy production is unique in that it boasts efficient energy production while emitting no carbon dioxide or controlled pollutants.

Renewable Energy

in all, renewable energy sources only account for about 11 percent of the nation’s total energy production. Though this number is expected to rise in the coming years, “renewable energy” accounts for a lot of different sources of energy including popular options like wind and solar power, as well as geothermal energy, hydropower, and biofuels like ethanol.

As plentiful and varied as the United States’ energy sources are, the nation still hasn’t come up with an energy source that’s one hundred percent reliable. If you have more questions about energy sources in the US or would like to learn more on how you can protect yourself from a potential power issue, contact Generator Source today. 

Story Summary

What are the main energy sources used in the US?
The top energy sources in the US are:

• Natural gas (43.1% of electricity generation)
• Renewables (21.4% total, including wind at 10.2% and solar at 3.9%)
• Nuclear (18.6%)
• Coal (16.2%)
• Petroleum (0.4%)

How is the US energy mix changing?The energy mix is shifting towards more renewable sources:

• Solar and wind generation are growing rapidly, expected to provide 18% of electricity by 2024
• Coal usage is declining, dropping from 20% in 2022 to a projected 17% in 2024
• Natural gas remains the largest source but its share is expected to decline slightly

What is driving the growth in renewable energy?
Several factors are contributing to renewable growth:

• Declining costs for solar and wind technologies
• Federal incentives like tax credits from the Inflation Reduction Act
• State-level renewable energy targets and policies
• Growing corporate and consumer demand for clean energy

How much of US electricity comes from renewable sources?
In 2023, about 21.4% of utility-scale electricity generation came from renewable sources. This is expected to rise to 24% by 2025, with solar generation surpassing hydropower for the first time.

What is the outlook for US energy consumption?
The EIA forecasts:

• Total electricity generation will increase by 3% in 2024 and 1% in 2025
• Renewable energy will supply most of this growth, especially solar
• Natural gas consumption in the power sector will remain relatively flat despite increased demand