Tag: EIA

Wind, Solar Pushed Renewables Past Coal For Electricity Last Year

Renewables overtook nuclear in 2021 and coal last year, accounting for about 21 percent of the country’s electricity.

Renewables surpassed coal for generating electricity for the first time last year.

An increase in wind and solar generation pushed renewables past coal in 2022, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Renewables overtook nuclear in 2021 and coal last year, accounting for about 21 percent of the country’s electricity.

Natural gas remains the nation’s top electric power source, at 39 percent last year, up from 37 percent in 2021.

Nuclear declined from 20 percent in 2021 to 19 percent last year due to a plant retirement.

Coal posted the biggest decline, from 23 percent in 2021 to 20 percent last year.

The federal agency forecasts another decline in coal this year to 17 percent as more plants are decommissioned.

Wind and solar’s combined share increased to 14 percent last year from 12 percent. Hydro power contributed another 6 percent to renewables’ share, while geothermal and biomass added another 1 percent.

Coal Resumes Decline For Making Electric Power, Federal Data Show

While coal generated 23 percent of U.S. electricity last year, the agency forecasts the share will be 20 percent this year.

Coal for making electricity experienced a revival last year, but it’s expected to decline this year.

The use of coal to generate electric power declined every year from 2014 to 2020, then surged last year with increased demand and higher natural gas prices.

According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, coal has resumed its decline this year.

While coal generated 23 percent of U.S. electricity last year, the agency forecasts the share will be 20 percent this year.

The EIA forecasts a slight increase in coal production this year, but most of that will be exported.

Coal plant retirements have continued, and some utilities have reported problems obtaining coal supplies for their power plants.

The EIA reports that coal shipments to U.S. power plants – most of which move by rail or barge – have fallen by half since 2010.

Appalachian Coal Production, But Not Jobs, Increased In 2021

Coal production rose in Appalachia in 2021, according to federal data, but employment declined.

Coal production rose in Appalachia in 2021, according to federal data, but employment declined.

Coal production was up 12 percent in Appalachia last year, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. Production rose 8 percent nationally.

Coal employment, though, fell 5 percent in the region and 6 percent nationally.

West Virginia remained the region’s largest coal producer, with Pennsylvania second and Kentucky third.

Coal production increased in all three states. Kentucky employment rose slightly, was flat in West Virginia and fell 10 percent in Pennsylvania. West Virginia continued to employ more coal miners than any other state.

Wyoming remained the nation’s top coal producer, contributing nearly half the U.S. total of 577,000 tons for the year. Though production rebounded from 2020, the totals for both years are the lowest since the early 1970s.

Coal prices have been consistently high in the past year, topping over $200 a ton in recent weeks. Central Appalachian coal is currently selling for $176 a ton, while Northern Appalachian coal is priced at $180 a ton.

The high price of natural gas, and higher demand for energy worldwide have kept prices up.

U.S. Natural Gas Production Climbs High in 2015

Natural gas production is up according to new figures just released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.Even in the face of low natural gas…

Natural gas production is up according to new figures just released by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Even in the face of low natural gas prices, production in the country increased 5 percent from 2014 to reach a record high in 2015 (79 billion cubic feet per day). The U.S. Energy Information Administration reports that Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia, Oklahoma, and North Dakota offset production declines in much of the rest of the United States. 35 percent of the country’s gas production came from these states. Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia lead the pack increasing production by 1.5 billion, 1.4 billion, and .8 billion cubic feet per day, respectively.

The administration predicts gas production growth will slow in 2016, but the long term forecast for the industry is that production will increase. That’s because prices are predicted to rise, industrial demand is expected to grow, and liquefied natural gas exports are expected to increase.

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