Resource Use: June 2025

Supply and fuel consumption

In this section, we look at the resources used to produce electricity. Generating units are chosen to run primarily on their operating costs, of which fuel costs account for the lion's share. Therefore, we present below, electricity generation output by fuel type and generator type. Since the generator/fuel mix of utilities varies significantly by region, we also present generation output by region.

Generation output by region

Net electricity generation in the United States increased 0.8% compared to June 2024. Almost all areas of the country saw an increase in electricity generation compared to the previous year, with only the MidAtlantic (down 0.1%) and West (down 1.2%) seeing a year-over-year decrease in electricity generation. The Northeast saw the largest percentage increase in electricity generation (up 4.4%) compared to all other regions, as this part of the country experienced hotter average temperatures compared to June 2024, which led to an increase in demand for electricity during June 2025.

Electricity generation from coal increased in most parts of the country, with only the Southeast (down 0.5%) and Florida (down 17.0%) observing a decrease in coal generation compared to June 2024. All areas of the country, except for the Northeast, saw the change in electricity from natural gas decrease compared to the previous June. Electricity generation from other renewables increased in most parts of the country, with Florida seeing the largest percentage year-over-year increase (up 22.1%).

Fossil fuel consumption by region

The chart above compares coal consumption in June 2024 and June 2025 by region and the second tab compares natural gas consumption by region over the same period. Changes in coal and natural gas consumption were similar to their respective changes in coal and natural gas generation.

The third tab presents the change in the relative share of fossil fuel consumption by fuel type on a percentage basis, calculated using equivalent energy content (Btu). This highlights changes in the relative market shares of coal, natural gas, and petroleum. All regions of the country, except the MidAtlantic and Florida, saw their share of coal increase at the expense of natural gas.

The fourth tab presents the change in coal and natural gas consumption on an energy content basis by region. The changes in total coal and natural gas consumption were similar to the changes seen in total coal and natural gas net generation in each region.

Fossil fuel prices

To gain some insight into the changing pattern of consumption of fossil fuels over the past year, we look at relative monthly average spot fuel prices. A common way to compare fuel prices is on an equivalent $/MMBtu basis as shown in the chart above. The average price of natural gas at Henry Hub decreased from the previous month, going from $3.18/MMBtu in May 2025 to $3.11/MMBtu in June 2025. The natural gas price for New York City (Transco Zone 6 NY) stayed relatively flat, only decreasing by $0.01/MMBtu to $2.49/MMBtu in June 2025. The average spot price of Central Appalachian coal remained relatively unchanged from the previous month, only increasing by $0.03/MMBtu from the previous month to $3.40/MMBtu in June 2025.

A fuel price comparison based on equivalent energy content ($/MMBtu) does not reflect differences in energy conversion efficiency (heat rate) among different types of generators. Gas-fired combined-cycle units tend to be more efficient than coal-fired steam units. The second tab shows coal and natural gas prices on an equivalent energy content and efficiency basis. The Henry Hub natural gas price ($24.90/MWh) saw a decrease from the previous month ($25.45/MWh) and was below the Central Appalachian coal price ($36.73/MWh) in June 2025. The price of natural gas at New York City ($19.97/MWh) saw a very slight decrease compared to the previous month ($20.04/MWh) and was below the Central Appalachian coal price ($36.73/MWh).

The conversion shown in this chart is done for illustrative purposes only. The competition between coal and natural gas to produce electricity is more complex. It involves delivered prices and emission costs, the terms of fuel supply contracts, and the workings of fuel markets.