Fossil Fuels Accounted for Nearly 83 Percent of Total U.S. Energy Consumption in 2023: EIA

U.S. energy consumption declined one percent year-on-year during 2023 to 94 quadrillion British thermal units (quads), according to a July 3 report published by the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Fossil fuels, which consist of coal, natural gas and petroleum accounted for around 83 percent of total U.S. energy consumption. Non fossil fuels, which consist of renewable energy sources and nuclear, accounted for the remaining 17 percent of total U.S. energy consumption.

Petroleum continues to be the most utilized fuel in the U.S. during 2023, while renewable energy surpassed coal for the first time. Petroleum products such as propane, jet fuel, gasoline and diesel are regularly utilized across all U.S. sectors. U.S. petroleum usage remained below its 2005 peak, totaling 35.4 quads during 2023, with the majority of the consumption in the transportation sector.

Natural gas is the second largest energy source of U.S. energy consumption and is used mostly for electricity production and heating. U.S. natural gas usage has been on a steep upward trend due to developments in U.S. drilling technology leading to increasing availability of natural gas in the U.S. U.S. natural gas utilization reached a new high of 33.6 quads during 2023.

Coal consumption dropped to 8.2 quads in 2023, the lowest level since around 1900. U.S. coal consumption has fallen by more than half since its peak in 2005, primarily due to reduced use of coal for electricity generation. Coal is mostly used to generate electricity, having served other purposes during previous decades.

U.S. electricity production from renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind have increased significantly in recent years.  Renewable energy utilization across the U.S. rose by two percent during 2023 to 8.2 quads, compared to 2022, on the back of higher use of biofuels in transportation and solar to generate power.