Energy – U.S. Electricity Production

I often hear the belief that U.S. electricity production is dependent on foreign oil. In fact, oil currently produces only 1.6% percent of U.S electricity, as can be seen on the U.S. Government’s Energy Information Administration web site.

As the site shows, coal accounts for 49% of electricity production. Of course coal power plants, in their present form, produce an enormous amount of carbon dioxide, and are therefore a big contributor to global warming.

On the other hand, if the concern is freeing the U.S. from dependency on foreign oil, substituting electricity for oil will help. So electric cars, plug-in hybrids and hydrogen-powered cars would all help to wean us from foreign oil.

Here are some worldwide energy facts involving production and consumption of oil and natural gas.