Total energy output in the U.S. fell in 2016 after six consecutive years of increase, the country's Energy Information Administration (EIA) said Friday.
Energy production decreased 4 percent in 2016, from the previous year, marking the first annual decline since 2009, mostly coming from fossil fuel reduction, especially coal output, the EIA said.
Coal production in the U.S. decreased 18 percent last year, from the year before, to reach its lowest level since 1978, according to the EIA.
Most of the reduction in coal output came with renewable energy becoming more affordable, and previous President Barack Obama imposing regulations on the coal industry amid his clean energy initiatives.
Low crude prices also took their toll on oil and natural gas output in the U.S., as level of new investments fell dramatically curtailing new projects and production eventually.
Oil output in the U.S. decreased 5 percent, while gas production declined 2 percent last year in the U.S., from the previous year, according to the EIA.
On a positive note, renewables marked an increase year-over-year, thanks to Obama's green initiatives. However, this rise was not enough to offset the decline in coal, oil and gas outputs.
Renewable energy production rose 7 percent in 2016, from the year before, while half of this came from wind and a quarter was a result of solar energy, the EIA said.
By Ovunc Kutlu in New York
Anadolu Agency
ovunc.kutlu@aa.com.tr