News Brief

Renewables Jump to 11% of U.S. Energy Production

by Erin Weaver

Wind and solar have more than doubled their share of total production since 2008.

This graph shows primary domestic energy production (in quadrillion BTU) by source in December 2012. Production from renewable sources increased 14% since 2008.

Courtesy of the U.S. Energy Information Administration
By Erin Weaver Renewable energy’s share of American energy production is increasing, according to a recent report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).

Comparing data from 2008 and 2012, EIA reports that the portion of domestic energy production from renewable sources increased from 9.84% to 11.23% (an increase of 14%) and from 7.24% to 9.3% of consumption (an increase of 28.45%). Overall domestic energy production increased 8.15% in that time, while production from renewable sources grew 23.48%.

Hydropower, making up the largest share of renewable energy production, at 30%, grew 7% since 2008, while wind and solar energy production more than doubled.

The country’s energy-related CO2 emissions fell by 9.38% in that time, to their lowest levels since 1994. EIA attributes this to a combination of warmer winter months (causing reduced heating demand) and lower natural gas prices, resulting in a 13.28% reduction in coal-fired energy production—the most carbon-intensive energy source. EIA intends to publish further analysis of 2012 CO2 emissions later in 2013.

Published April 19, 2013

Weaver, E. (2013, April 19). Renewables Jump to 11% of U.S. Energy Production. Retrieved from https://www.buildinggreen.com/newsbrief/renewables-jump-11-us-energy-production

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