Fossil fuels continue to account for the largest share of production and consumption in the U.S. energy mix, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) said in a statement on Wednesday.
Around 79% of domestic energy production was from fossil fuels in the U.S. in 2018, the EIA said, adding 80% of domestic energy consumption also originated from fossil fuels.
The share of fossil fuels in the U.S.' total energy production had peaked in 1966 at 93%, according to the EIA.
Fossil fuel production has continued to increase since then, but so have non-fossil fuel sources, mostly renewables like wind and solar.
'As a result, fossil fuels have accounted for close to 80% of U.S. energy production over the past decade,' the statement said.
Since 2008, crude oil production, dry natural gas, and natural gas plant liquids (NGPL) increased by 12 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu), 11 quadrillion Btu, and 3 quadrillion Btu, respectively, according to the EIA.
'These increases have more than offset decreasing coal production, which has fallen 9 quadrillion Btu since its peak in 2008,' it added.
-Oil on top in trade
In the U.S.' energy trade, petroleum has the largest share, accounting for 67% of energy exports and 86% of energy imports in 2018.
Petroleum products accounted for 71% of total U.S. energy exports last year, the EIA said.
'Much of the imported crude oil goes to U.S. refineries and is then exported as petroleum products,' the statement said.
'In 2018, net energy imports reached the lowest level since 1963,' it added.
The EIA said the share of fossil fuels in the U.S.' total energy consumption has decreased from its peak of 94% in 1966, to 80% in 2018.
By Ovunc Kutlu
Anadolu Agency
energy@aa.com.tr