America's Energy Profile

Overall Energy

Currently, 72% of the nation's energy comes from the fuels petroleum (39%) and coal (23%). As shown in the illustration to the right, alternative energies account for 6% of national energy use. Of that alternative energy, hydroelectric energy accounts for half. Wood, waste and alcohol fuels together account for the other half. Collectively geothermal, solar and wind power account very little of the 6% total.

Electricity

 

America's main energy source for electricity is coal, which supplies 53%.

Although hydroelectricity is a clean and renewable resource, its growth potential is limited. As shown in the table to the left, neither the percent nor total amount of hydropower increased significantly over time (green line) while coal use has steadily grown (red line).

The long graph to the right compares the cost per unit of electricity for households in different countries. As you will note, the average price for households in the United States is $.082 per kilowatthour.