In 2024, the United States Produced More Energy Than Ever Before
In 2024, the United States produced a record amount of energy, according to data in our Monthly Energy Review. U.S. total energy production was more than 103 quadrillion British thermal units in 2024, a 1% increase from the previous record set in 2023. Several energy sources—natural gas, crude oil, natural gas plant liquids, biofuels, solar, and wind—each set domestic production records last year.
Natural gas accounted for about 38% of U.S. total energy production in 2024 and has been the largest source of U.S. domestic energy production every year since 2011, when it surpassed coal. U.S. dry natural gas production was nearly 38 trillion cubic feet, about the same as in 2023.
Domestic crude oil accounted for about 27% of U.S. total energy production in 2024, as the United States continues to be the world’s top crude oil-producing country. U.S. crude oil production was a record 13.2 million barrels per day in 2024, 2% more than the previous record set in 2023. Almost all of the production growth came from the Permian region that spans parts of New Mexico and Texas.
Coal accounted for about 10% of U.S. total energy production in 2024. At 512 million short tons, last year’s coal production was the lowest annual output since 1964. Coal was the largest source of U.S. energy production from 1984 through 2010.
Natural gas plant liquids (NGPL), which includes fuels such as ethane and propane that are associated with natural gas processing, accounted for about 9% of U.S. total energy production in 2024. NGPL production was a record 4 trillion cubic feet in 2024, up 7% from 2023. Domestic NGPL production have increased every year since 2005 as U.S. natural gas production and processing capacity have increased.
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The Future of Mining in the United States
The world is on the cusp of a green revolution, and ironically, it’s metallurgical coal that could potentially help pave the way. As the global economy grapples with the responsibilities that come with industrial growth and environmental sustainability, the coal industry finds itself at a crossroads. The story of this transformation is not just about the fate of a single commodity but about the intricate dance between innovation and tradition. This challenges long-held perceptions about coal’s role in the modern world and raises critical questions about the industry’s future in an increasingly carbon-conscious world.
The Metallurgical Conundrum
Metallurgical coal, often overshadowed by its thermal counterpart, is experiencing a revival of sorts. Unlike thermal coal, which is used for power generation, metallurgical coal is a critical component in steel production. Nicholas Green, a veteran businessman in the mining industry, points out that metallurgical coal is one of the only ingredients in every wind farm, solar panel, and electric vehicle, making it vital for the energy transition.
The numbers support his claim. According to recent data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), global metallurgical coal demand is projected to rise steadily, reaching 365 million metric tons by 2030, up from 295 million metric tons in 2019. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2 percent, emphasizing the demand for this resource in the face of global decarbonization efforts.
These projections highlight the paradoxical nature of metallurgical coal’s role in the green energy transition, as it remains an essential component in the production of renewable energy infrastructure.
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Trump Administration Expands Investment in Coal Country to Fuel Jobs and Economic Growth
The Department of the Interior has announced the availability of $130 million in fiscal year 2025 funding through the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program—an initiative aimed at turning legacy coal mining sites into engines of economic growth.
This year’s funding will support job creation, infrastructure development and energy opportunities in communities historically tied to America’s coal production. States and tribes will lead project selection to ensure investments reflect local needs and deliver real economic results.
“Thanks to the leadership of President Trump and Secretary Burgum, these investments are transforming abandoned mine lands into hubs of economic opportunity, job creation and local innovation,” said Acting Assistant Secretary of Lands and Mineral Management Adam Suess. “We’re proud to support state and tribal partners in putting these lands back to work for the American people.”
For fiscal year 2025, Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization Program funds are allocated as follows:
- $28.67 million each for Kentucky, Pennsylvania and West Virginia
- $11 million each for Alabama, Ohio and Virginia
- $3.67 million each for the Crow Tribe, Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation
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Racing to Cover Capacity Shortfalls
Need more evidence we’re in a power supply emergency? Look no further than how the nation’s grid operators are scrambling to fast-track interconnection of new dispatchable resources that can shore up eroding reliability.
From the Great Plains to New York, operators are frantically trying to revise interconnection processes to get new generation added to grids faster and prioritize resources that can bolster rapidly dwindling reserve margins. There is an urgency – bordering on panic – to meet rising demand and get more dispatchable power onto grids.
The Southwest Power Pool (SPP), with a grid stretching from eastern New Mexico up through North Dakota, was the latest grid operator to ask the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to approve its Expedited Resource Adequacy Study process, which would fast-track connection agreements for power plants.
In petitioning FERC, SPP officials were direct on the need, saying their grid is “on the precipice of a resource adequacy crisis.” SPP highlighted a study showing that by 2027 available generating capacity is projected to dip below required reserve margins, leaving the grid vulnerable to demand spikes and power plant failures that threaten to overwhelm supply.
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US Coal Suppliers Adapt to New Landscape as Trade Tensions Reshape Market Dynamics
US metallurgical coal suppliers have had to navigate shifting market conditions due to the US-China trade situation, leading them to focus on other Asian countries, primarily India, where demand for alternatives to Australian coals has been growing.
This strategic pivot has occurred against a backdrop of overall sluggish demand across all regions, which continues to place additional pressure on US suppliers.
US-China trade tensions
The US-China tariff tensions determined the metallurgical coal landscape at the beginning of 2025.
The US exported to China, the world's largest steelmaking country, about 2.59 million mt of metallurgical coal in January-April 2024, compared to 465,629 mt during the same time frame in 2025, according to the latest data from S&P Global Commodities at Sea. Most of the 2025 volumes were shipped prior to the first announced reciprocal US-China tariffs on Feb. 4.
With the disappearance of the Chinese market, participants had to adapt. According to sources, part of the flows have been absorbed in Asia, primarily in India.
At the beginning of 2025, several incidents impacted the coal industry, including the complete suspension of operations at the Leer South mine in South Virginia, the suspension of operations at Metinvest's Pokrovskoe Coal in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, and a methane explosion at the Knurow-Szczyglowice metallurgical coal mine in Poland.
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