According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), energy production in the United States reached a record high in 2022, with a total of 102,748 quadrillion British thermal units (quads) produced compared to the previous record of 101,486 quads in 2019. Fossil fuels were the primary source of energy, accounting for 79.2% of production, while renewables and nuclear power accounted for 13% and 7.8%, respectively.
Among the fossil fuels, crude oil and natural gas were the largest producers, with crude oil production in the lower 48 states and Alaska totaling 11.883 million barrels per day (b/d) and natural gas liquids of 5.883 million b/d. Gross withdrawals of natural gas also set a new record last year with 43,370 billion cubic feet, surpassing the previous record of 40,780 billion cubic feet in 2019.
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Renewable energy sources also saw growth, with wind and solar setting new consumption records. Wind energy consumption in 2022 was 3,845 trillion Btu, while solar consumption totaled 1,870 trillion Btu. Other renewable energy sources such as hydro-electric, wood, and bio-fuels also saw growth in consumption, with a total consumption of 13,121 trillion Btu in 2022.
The data also revealed that the U.S. continued to be a net exporter of energy, with net exports increasing to 5,920 quads in 2022, surpassing the previous record of 3,616 quads in 2021. This marks the fourth consecutive year that the U.S. has been a net exporter of energy.
Overall, the growth in energy production has significantly increased America’s energy security compared to 50 years ago when the U.S. faced an oil embargo that resulted in a series of production cuts and economic challenges.
