U.S. Energy Information Administration logo

Posted December 28, 2018Today in Energy

U.S. coal consumption in 2018 expected to be the lowest in 39 years ›

EIA expects total U.S. coal consumption in 2018 to fall to 691 million short tons (MMst), a 4% decline from 2017 and the lowest level since 1979. U.S. coal consumption has been falling since its peak in 2007, and EIA forecasts that 2018 coal consumption will be 437 MMst (44%) lower than 2007 levels, mainly driven by declines in coal use in the electric power sector. More

U.S. coal consumption

Source: EIA, Monthly Energy Review October 2018 and Short-Term Energy Outlook November 2018

Data Highlights

WTI crude oil futures price

12/27/2018: $44.61/barrel

down$1.27 from week earlier
down$15.03 from year earlier

Natural gas futures price

12/27/2018: $3.642/MMBtu

up$0.059 from week earlier
up$0.904 from year earlier

Retail heating oil price

12/24/2018: $3.134/gal

down$0.053 from week earlier
up$0.214 from year earlier

Crude oil inventories

12/21/2018: 441.4 million barrels

down0.0 million barrels from week earlier
up9.5 million barrels from year earlier

Natural gas inventories

12/21/2018: 2,725 Bcf

down 48 from week earlier
down 623 from year earlier