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Primary energy consumption fell slightly in 2015 as a decline in coal use exceeded increases in natural gas, petroleum, and renewables use. In most cases, changes between 2014 and 2015 reflect longer-term trends in energy use.
In 2015, natural gas consumption increased more than any other energy source, accounting for 29% of total primary energy consumption. As domestic natural gas production continues to reach record levels, natural gas prices have remained low. Low natural gas prices have led to increased use of natural gas-fired generators in the electric power sector.
Coal supplied 16% of total U.S. primary energy use in 2015, down from 18% in 2014. Coal consumption declined by more than 12% in 2015, and it is now at its lowest level since 1982. Nearly all coal is used for electricity generation. In 2015, demand for coal in the power sector reached its lowest level since 1987.
U.S. petroleum consumption grew in 2015, as lower gasoline and diesel prices led to increased vehicle travel. In addition, exports of U.S. petroleum products continue to grow, driven largely by demand in South and Central America. Crude oil exports continued to grow significantly in 2014 and averaged 458,000 barrels per day in 2015.
Renewable fuels use continued to grow in 2015, especially in the electric power sector. Both wind and solar generation expanded significantly, growing by 31% and 5%, respectively, in 2015. Increases in wind and solar were slightly offset by a decline in hydroelectric generation, which fell for the fourth consecutive year because ofdrought conditions on the West Coast.
Nuclear electric power remained relatively flat in 2015. Several nuclear plants retired in 2013 and 2014, but no nuclear plants either retired or came online in 2015. Nuclear outages were relatively low during the summer of 2015.
Additional information on energy consumption is available in EIA's Monthly Energy Review.
Coal production fell in the first half of 2016 dropped 26% from the same period of 2015 on widespread output curtailments especially in the massive Powder River Basin of Wyoming and Montana..
Data compiled by S&P Global Market Intelligence shows that coal production was down to 777.7 million tons across the country for the 12 months leading up to June 30, 2016. This number is down from the 961.4 million tons produced in the preceding period and down nearly a third from the 1.09 billion tons produced in the 12 months ending on June 30, 2011.
This output drop has been foreshadowed by the idling of dozens of coal mines across the U.S. in the first half of this year.
In terms of overall drop in production half year-over-half year, the Powder River Basin was the hardest hit, dropping about a third from 199.2 million tons produced in the first half of 2015 to only 134.2 million tons in the first half of this year. That 65 million ton drop represents more coal than that actually produced in the first half of 2016 in any of the three other major producing regions: Illinois Basin, Central Appalachia and Northern Appalachia.
Oh sure, and we will go back to horse drawn wagons, too. LOLEventually it will come back as supply and demand dictates and other resources fluctuate.
Coal miners aren't celebrating BTW, and the pretense that coal is somehow the worst sort of energy is another moonbat fantasy.
Indeed, and shoveling horseshit! But how will we tweet it?Oh sure, and we will go back to horse drawn wagons, too. LOLEventually it will come back as supply and demand dictates and other resources fluctuate.
Coal miners aren't celebrating BTW, and the pretense that coal is somehow the worst sort of energy is another moonbat fantasy.
Indeed, and shoveling horseshit! But how will we tweet it?
