12 SEPTEMBER 2016 | FUEL OIL NEWS | www.fueloilnews.com
FUELS
EIA NE WS
Principal contributor: Michael Kopalek
EIA: CHANGING U.S. ENERGY MIX REFLECTS GROWING
USE OF NATURAL GAS, PETROLEUM AND RENEWABLES
Primary energy consumption fell slightly in 2015 as a decline in
coal use exceeded increases in natural gas, petroleum, and renew-
ables 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.
l F O N
United States primary energy consumption by source, 2014-15
quadrillion British thermal units
40
35
30
25
20
15
10
5
0
petroleum natural gas coal renewable
energy
nuclear electric
power
+2%
+3%
-12%
+1%
no change
2014 2015
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration,
Monthly Energy Review, April 2016
