Average costs of fossil fuels for electricity generation in the U.S. 2005-2023
The cost of fossil fuels in the United States electric power industry varies depending on the source that is used. In general, fossil fuels cost about 3.12 U.S. dollars per million British thermal units (Btu) in 2023, ranging from 2.36 U.S. dollars per million Btu for coal to 16.53 U.S. dollars per million Btu for petroleum.
Coal and petroleum costs
Of the fossil fuels used for electric power generation, petroleum costs have been the most volatile, while coal costs have remained relatively stable in comparison. Average costs of petroleum, which includes various kinds of oil, fluctuated significantly over the period of consideration and reached a peak in 2022 during the energy crisis that hit the global fossil fuels market.
Natural gas price
Similar to coal, natural gas prices can vary based on the region. Being a large producer of domestic natural gas, the U.S. has notably lower prices compared to Europe and Japan. Due to greater natural gas production through hydraulic fracturing, prices in the U.S. have experienced an overall decline over the last decade or so, falling to 2.4 U.S. dollars per million Btu in 2020. However, natural gas markets around the world experienced price shocks in 2021 and 2022 as a result of the Russia-Ukraine war. In the United States, average natural gas costs for use in the electric power sector more than tripled in 2022.
