Within the past week
State Energy Data System: Noncombustible renewable energy for 2016
May 18, 2018
Annual state-level consumption estimates for hydroelectric power, as well as wind, solar, and geothermal energy.
Northeast region slated for record natural gas pipeline capacity buildout in 2018
May 18, 2018
EIA expects construction of new natural gas pipeline capacity in the United States to continue in 2018, in particular in the northeastern United States. By the end of 2018, if all projects come online by their scheduled service dates, more than 23 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) of takeaway capacity will be online out of the Northeast, up from an estimated 16.7 Bcf/d at the end of 2017 and more than three times the takeaway capacity at the end of 2014.
Changing energy efficiency and fuel economy standards affects energy consumption
May 17, 2018
Legislation passed in the 1970s and 1980s and updated in subsequent decades established mandatory federal minimum energy efficiency standards for equipment and appliances in buildings and fuel economy standards for light-duty vehicles (LDVs). Three scenarios in EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2018 (AEO2018) examine the impacts of varying energy efficiency policies on end-use consumption, including what could happen under current laws and what might happen if energy efficiency policies were made more or less stringent.
State Energy Profiles: New monthly data for February and March 2018, new annual data, and updated Profile Analyses and Quick Facts
May 17, 2018
New monthly data are available for electricity, petroleum, natural gas, and coal series. New annual data are available for motor gasoline station counts and petroleum consumption and expenditures. In addition, Profile Analyses and Quick Facts have been updated for Alabama, Kentucky, Mississippi, Ohio, and Tennessee.
Monthly Densified Biomass Fuel Report
May 17, 2018
Data for wood pellet and other densified biomass fuel production, sales, and inventory levels from approximately 90 operating pellet fuel manufacturing facilities in the United States. Facilities with an annual capacity of 10,000 tons or more per year are required to report monthly.
U.S. Gulf Coast port limitations impose additional costs on rising U.S. crude oil exports
May 16, 2018
U.S. crude oil exports averaged 1.1 million barrels per day (b/d) in 2017 and 1.6 million b/d so far in 2018, up from less than 0.5 million b/d in 2016. This growth in U.S. crude oil exports happened despite the fact that U.S. Gulf Coast onshore ports cannot fully load Very Large Crude Carriers (VLCC), the largest and most economic vessels used for crude oil transportation. Instead, export growth was achieved using smaller and less cost-effective ships.
Tax credits and solar tariffs affect timing of projected renewable power plant deployment
May 15, 2018
The timing and magnitude of adding wind- and solar-powered electricity generators to the U.S. grid are sensitive to federal policies, especially federal tax credits that are currently scheduled to expire or diminish by 2022. In addition to the Reference case of EIA’s latest Annual Energy Outlook 2018 (AEO2018), which reflects current laws and regulations, three side cases show the potential effects of extending or eliminating certain tax credits. These cases also show the effect of the recently approved tariffs on imported solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules
Most of America’s propane exports go to countries in Asia
May 14, 2018
In 2017, the United States exported 905,000 barrels per day (b/d) of propane, with the largest volumes going to supply petrochemical feedstock demand in Asian countries. Four of the top five countries receiving U.S. propane exports are in Asia—Japan, China, South Korea, and Singapore.
Alternative Policies in Power Generation and Energy Demand Markets
May 14, 2018
EIA analyzes sensitivities around policies affecting the U.S. energy system using alternative scenarios to the Annual Energy Outlook 2018 (AEO2018) Reference case in the areas of renewable electric generation and end-use efficiency. This article presents results from two sets of alternative policy scenarios. The first set of cases looks at renewable tax credits and examines the impacts of tariffs on imported solar photovoltaic (PV) cells and modules. The second set of cases examines changes to end-use efficiency policies, including joint Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions standards for light-duty vehicles (LDVs) and efficiency standards for residential and commercial equipment.
Drilling Productivity Report
May 14, 2018
The Drilling Productivity Report (DPR) uses recent data on the total number of drilling rigs in operation along with estimates of drilling productivity and estimated changes in production from existing oil and natural gas wells to provide estimated changes in oil and natural gas production for seven key regions.
Within the past 30 days
Countries in and around the Middle East are adding coal-fired power plants
May 11, 2018
Planned coal-fired capacity additions from a number of countries in and around the Middle East will add 41 gigawatts (GW) of new electric generating capacity over the next decade, based on announced projects and projects currently in the permitting process. Another 3 GW of coal-fired capacity is currently under construction in these countries.
Wholesale Electricity and Natural Gas Market Data
May 10, 2018
This site contains spreadsheets with wholesale electricity and natural gas data from eight major trading hubs that cover most regions of the United States. The data are through May 8, 2018 and are republished, with permission, from the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).
EIA raises crude oil, gasoline price forecasts for 2018
May 10, 2018
EIA’s May Short-Term Energy Outlook (STEO) forecasts that Brent crude oil prices will average $71 per barrel (b) in 2018, $7/b higher than forecast in last month’s STEO. Correspondingly, EIA’s forecast for regular gasoline retail prices increased to an average of $2.79/gallon (g) in 2018, $0.15/g higher that in last month’s STEO. Monthly average Brent crude oil spot prices have increased in 9 of the past 10 months, most recently averaging $72/b in April.
Domestic Uranium Production Report – Quarterly
May 9, 2018
First-quarter 2018 update of uranium production in the United States and operating status of U.S. uranium mills and plants.
Solar surpasses biomass to become third-most prevalent renewable electricity source
May 9, 2018
Electricity generation from solar resources in the United States reached 77 million megawatthours (MWh) in 2017, surpassing for the first time annual generation from biomass resources, which generated 64 million MWh in 2017. Among renewable sources, only hydro and wind generated more electricity in 2017, at 300 million MWh and 254 million MWh, respectively.
Future of U.S. nuclear power fleet depends mostly on natural gas prices, carbon policies
May 8, 2018
Existing U.S. nuclear power generating plants operate under increasingly competitive market conditions brought on by relatively low natural gas prices, increasing electricity generation from renewable energy sources, and limited growth in electric power demand. Several sensitivity cases prepared for EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2018 (AEO2018) show the potential effects on the U.S. nuclear power fleet of different assumptions for natural gas prices, potential carbon policies, and nuclear power plant operating costs.
Short-Term Energy Outlook
May 8, 2018
Brent crude oil spot prices averaged $72 per barrel (b) in April, an increase of $6/b from the March level and the first time monthly Brent crude oil prices have averaged more than $70/b since November 2014. EIA forecasts Brent spot prices will average $71/b in 2018 and $66/b in 2019, which are $7/b and $3/b higher, respectively, than in the April STEO. EIA expects West Texas Intermediate (WTI) crude oil prices to average $5/b lower than Brent prices in both 2018 and 2019. NYMEX WTI futures and options contract values for August 2018 delivery traded during the five-day period ending May 3, 2018, suggest a range of $54/b to $84/b encompasses the market expectation for August 2018 WTI prices at the 95% confidence level.
Natural gas and renewables make up most of 2018 electric capacity additions
May 7, 2018
EIA expects nearly 32 gigawatts (GW) of new electric generating capacity will come online in the United States in 2018, more than in any year over the past decade. Although renewables such as wind and solar accounted for 98% of the 2 GW added so far this year (based on data for January and February), EIA expects about 21 GW of natural gas-fired generators will come online in 2018.
Nuclear Power Outlook
May 7, 2018
In EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2018 Reference case, U.S. nuclear power generating capacity is projected to decline from 99.3 gigawatts (GW) to 79.1 GW over the projection period of 2017–50. To address some of the uncertainty surrounding this projection, this Issues in Focus article presents sensitivity cases under different assumptions for oil and natural gas availability, nuclear power unit costs, and carbon policies.
State Energy Data System: Wood and biomass waste for 2016
May 4, 2018
Annual state-level estimates of consumption, prices, and expenditures for wood and biomass waste.
The 2018 EIA Energy Conference is one month away
May 4, 2018
EIA is hosting its 2018 Energy Conference on Monday, June 4, and Tuesday, June 5, in Washington, DC, where attendees will get up-to-date information on a wide set of emerging energy issues. This two-day event provides an opportunity to meet and network with energy analysts, decision makers, and EIA staff. Last year, more than 900 people from industry, government, and academia attended the conference.
Biodiesels produced from certain feedstocks have distinct properties from petroleum diesel
May 3, 2018
Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from various feedstocks, including refined vegetable oils, recycled cooking oils, and rendered animal fats. Different feedstocks produce biodiesel with distinct qualities that must be considered when blending biodiesel with petroleum diesel for use in transportation.
U.S. imports of Canadian crude oil by rail increase
May 2, 2018
Growth in Canadian crude oil production has outpaced expansions in pipeline takeaway capacity and, along with past pipeline outages, has driven Canadian crude oil prices lower and increased Canadian crude oil exports by rail to the United States. However, the outlook for increased volumes of Canadian crude oil shipped by rail to the United States is highly uncertain despite significant U.S. demand for Canadian crude oil, specifically on the U.S. Gulf Coast.
U.S. crude oil production efficiency continues to improve
May 1, 2018
U.S. tight oil production increased in 2017, accounting for 54% of total U.S. crude oil production, in part because of the increasing productivity of new wells. Since 2007, the average first full month of oil production from new wells in regions tracked by EIA’s Drilling Productivity Report (DPR) has generally increased. These growing initial production rates have helped tight oil production to increase despite slowdowns in drilling activity when oil prices fell.
Petroleum Marketing Monthly
May 1, 2018
The May 2018 Petroleum Marketing Monthly (PMM), with data through February 2018, presents monthly and annual price and volume statistics covering crude oil and refined products sales in the United States.
Monthly Crude Oil and Natural Gas Production
Apr 30, 2018
These monthly production estimates are based on data from the EIA-914, Monthly Crude Oil, Lease Condensate, and Natural Gas Production Report.
Natural Gas Monthly
Apr 30, 2018
In February 2018, for the ninth consecutive month, dry natural gas production increased year-to-year from the same month a year ago. The preliminary level for dry natural gas production in February 2018 was 2,203 billion cubic feet (Bcf), or 78.7 Bcf/day. This level was 7.1 Bcf/day (10.0%) higher than the February 2017 level of 71.5 Bcf/day. The average daily rate of dry natural gas production for February was the highest for the month since EIA began tracking monthly dry production in 1973.
U.S. Movements of Crude Oil By Rail
Apr 30, 2018
Monthly data on rail movements of crude oil have been updated for February 2018. Crude oil movements by rail have significantly increased over the past five years. The data on crude-by-rail (CBR) movements are also fully integrated with EIA’s existing monthly petroleum supply statistics, which already include crude oil movements by pipeline, tanker, and barge.
Monthly Solar Photovoltaic Module Shipments Report
Apr 30, 2018
This report contains monthly summary data for the photovoltaic industry in the United States. Data include manufacturing, imports, and exports of modules in the United States and its territories. Summary data include volumes in peak kilowatts and average prices. Where possible, imports and exports are listed by country, and shipments to the United States are listed by state.
Energy flows and primary energy consumption by source and sector chart for 2017
Apr 30, 2018
Five energy flow diagrams with preliminary data for 2017 show U.S. production and consumption of total energy, petroleum, natural gas, coal, and electricity. EIA's U.S. primary energy consumption by source and sector chart shows the distribution, by both energy source and sector, of the 98 quadrillion Btu of U.S. primary energy consumed in 2017.
Petroleum Supply Monthly
Apr 30, 2018
Supply and disposition of crude oil and petroleum products on a national and regional level. The data series describe production, imports and exports, movements, and inventories.
Company Level Imports
Apr 30, 2018
Imports data at the company level collected from the EIA-814 Monthly Imports Report.
Monthly Biodiesel Production Report
Apr 30, 2018
Monthly national and regional biodiesel production data for February 2018. In addition to biodiesel production, data included producer sales, producer stocks, and feedstock inputs.
New import duties drive biomass-based diesel imports down in 2017
Apr 30, 2018
U.S. imports of biomass-based diesel, which include biodiesel and renewable diesel, totaled 14.1 million barrels in 2017, a 36% decrease from 2016. Although increasing Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) targets have driven increased biomass-based diesel demand in recent years, imports fell in 2017 largely because of U.S. Department of Commerce (DOC) import duties imposed on foreign biodiesel volumes sourced from Argentina and Indonesia, two of the leading exporters of biodiesel.
State Energy Data System: Hydrocarbon gas liquids and total petroleum for 2016
Apr 27, 2018
Annual state-level estimates of consumption, prices, and expenditures for hydrocarbon gas liquids, as well as total petroleum.
U.S. exported a record amount of fuel ethanol in 2017
Apr 27, 2018
The United States exported nearly 1.4 billion gallons of fuel ethanol in 2017, surpassing the previous record of 1.2 billion gallons set in 2011. U.S. imports of ethanol in 2017 increased compared with 2016 but remained relatively small at 77 million gallons, resulting in the United States being a net exporter of ethanol for the eighth consecutive year.
Wholesale Electricity and Natural Gas Market Data
Apr 26, 2018
This site contains spreadsheets with wholesale electricity and natural gas data from eight major trading hubs that cover most regions of the United States. The data are through April 24, 2018, and are republished, with permission, from the Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).
Monthly Energy Review
Apr 26, 2018
EIA's comprehensive report on recent integrated energy statistics. Preliminary data indicate that, in January 2018, total energy consumption in the U.S. industrial sector equaled 2.8 quadrillion Btu, a 5% increase from January 2017.
Renewable energy subsidies have declined as tax credits, other policies diminish
Apr 26, 2018
Federal subsidies for renewable energy—including biofuels for transportation use and renewable generation of electricity—dropped to $6.7 billion in fiscal year (FY) 2016, a 56% decline from FY 2013. Renewable subsidies in FY 2010 and FY 2013 were approximately $15 billion, more than double FY 2016 levels, as support from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) lessened.
Monthly Densified Biomass Fuel Report
Apr 26, 2018
Data for wood pellet and other densified biomass fuel production, sales, and inventory levels from approximately 90 operating pellet fuel manufacturing facilities in the United States. Facilities with an annual capacity of 10,000 tons or more per year are required to report monthly.
Federal financial interventions and subsidies in U.S. energy markets declined since 2013
Apr 25, 2018
EIA has updated its report on federal financial interventions and subsidies in energy markets, covering the 2016 U.S. government fiscal year (FY). Subsidies for many energy categories have declined since FY 2013, when spending related to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 was at or near its highest levels.
Electric Power Monthly
Apr 24, 2018
Data in the April 2018 Electric Power Monthly (EPM) are for February 2018, during which net generation in the United States rose 5.6 percent from the February 2017 level. Consumption of natural gas for power generation was up 19.2 percent compared to February 2017. The average residential retail price of electricity for February 2018 was down 1.3 percent from what it had been in February 2017.
Electricity Monthly Update
Apr 24, 2018
This month’s Electric Monthly Update contains data for February 2018 and a guide to plant-level cooling water and air emissions data that is now available on a new beta version of EIA’s Electricity Data Browser.
Coal power generation declines in United Kingdom as natural gas, renewables grow
Apr 24, 2018
In the United Kingdom, electricity produced from coal declined from 42% of total electricity generation in 2012 to 7% in 2017. According to U.K. National Grid data, on April 21, 2017, the country went 24 hours without any electricity generated from coal for the first time since the 1880s. In January 2018, the U.K. government laid out an implementation plan to shut down all coal-fired electricity generation plants by 2025 that do not have carbon capture and storage technology.
Direct Federal Financial Interventions and Subsidies in Energy in Fiscal Year 2016
Apr 24, 2018
An update is available to a series of EIA reports on federal direct financial interventions and subsidies into energy markets. Using FY 2016 data sources, EIA assigns within-scope U.S. tax and direct expenditures to a set of discrete energy system categories. Most current federal subsidies support developing renewable energy supplies (primarily biofuels, wind, and solar) and reducing energy consumption through energy efficiency.
Pennsylvania’s natural gas production continues to increase
Apr 23, 2018
Pennsylvania’s marketed natural gas production averaged a record 15 billion cubic feet per day (Bcf/d) in 2017, 3% higher than the 2016 level. This production is largely from shale plays in the Appalachian Basin. Pennsylvania accounted for 19% of total U.S. marketed natural gas production in 2017 and produced more natural gas than any other state except Texas.
Prime Supplier Report
Apr 23, 2018
The latest Prime Supplier Report presents data through February 2018 on Form EIA-782C, "Monthly Report of Prime Supplier Sales of Petroleum Products Sold for Local Consumption." These data measure primary petroleum product deliveries into the states where they are locally marketed and consumed.
Fuel cell power plants are used in diverse ways across the United States
Apr 20, 2018
At the end of 2016, the United States had 56 large-scale fuel cell generating units greater than 1 megawatt (MW), totaling 137 megawatts (MW) of net summer capacity. Most of this capacity (85%) has come online since 2013. Fuel cells collectively provided 810,000 megawatthours (MWh) of electricity in 2016, representing 0.02% of total U.S. electricity generation.