Electricity Generation in the United States

FOSSIL FUELS: The USA has always relied on coal as the primary source of electricity generation. Today, coal accounts for about half of all electricity generated. Coal—along with the other fossil fuels of natural gas and oil—is easily burned to create steam to turn turbines. This method generates a stable and continuous generation of electricity and has been relied on for decades.

NUCLEAR POWER: Nuclear power was not commercially available until the 1950s. Although nuclear fission is another continuous energy source that can turn turbines, nuclear power has slowly grown over the past 40 years because building nuclear power plants is expensive. Today, USA relies on nuclear energy for about 20% of its electricity generation. On average, however, in certain regions the proportion is much higher (e.g. Illinois >50%).

RENEWABLE ENERGY: Since 2006, renewable energy sources are generating an increasing amount of electricity. Wind and solar energy are strong contributors. Their contributions are expected to continue increasing. However, it is difficult for such sources to compete with coal and nuclear plants since the sun and the wind cannot produce electricity continuously.