Energy consumption in the U.S. by sector 1975-2022

The industrial sector is the greatest energy end-user in the United States, reaching a consumption of some 32.91 quadrillion British thermal units in 2022. Total U.S. energy consumption initially rose between 1975 and 2000, and has remained relatively steady since then, only decreasing in years of economic downturn. This can be observed in 2020, when the coronavirus pandemic and resulting lockdowns brought about a decline in energy consumption across all sectors. The fall in consumption within the transportation sector was particularly pronounced as flights were grounded and many commuters were forced to work from home. The same trend can also be recognized when looking at U.S. primary energy consumption, which fell to 90 quadrillion British thermal units in 2020.

Energy consuming sectors & sources

In general, the pattern of fuel use can vary widely depending on the sector. For example, petroleum is commonly used in the transportation sector but accounts for only a small portion of energy consumed in the electric power sector. There are five main primary energy consuming sectors, where the electric power sector generates most of the electricity in the U.S. and the other four sectors consume most of this electricity.

Consumption of fossil fuels still accounts for the majority of U.S. energy consumption. Trends in energy sources have been evident over the years. For example, coal use peaked in the mid 2000s and has decreased since that period, mostly due to a decrease in consumption for electricity generation. On the other hand, the use of renewable sources is becoming more common, especially wind power.