Science · Facts & sources
4 sourced facts about how U.S. electricity and energy are generated, each with the context behind the number. 4 more are in today's round and appear here after it closes.
Answerabout 41%
Natural gas has been the top source of U.S. electricity for years, generated in both steam and gas turbines.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2025) eia.gov
Answerabout 17%
Coal used to dominate U.S. power generation, but its share has fallen sharply as gas and renewables have grown.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2025) eia.gov
Answerabout 58%
Even with renewables and nuclear growing, fossil fuels still generated more than half of U.S. electricity.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2025) eia.gov
Answerabout 9%
That's a smaller share than renewables' share of electricity alone, since primary energy also includes fuels used for transportation and heating.
Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (2025) eia.gov