Natural gas the leading source of electricity generation in US, report says

Natural gas provided 32 percent of all electricity generation in the United States in 2017, slightly higher than coal at 30 percent, according to the Energy Information Administration.

Natural gas was the most used source of electricity generation in 16 states, while coal was the largest source in 18 states. However, both are trending in different directions as coal was the largest source in 28 states in 2007 while natural gas was in 11 states 10 years ago.

Petroleum was the primary source of electricity in one state in 2017, Hawaii. Overall, fossil fuels were the primary source of electricity generation in 35 states last year.

Beyond fossil fuels, nuclear power generated the largest electricity share in nine states, up from six in 2007. Further, hydroelectricity was the most prevalent source of electricity generation in six states, up from four in 2007.

In the 10 states where coal is no longer the primary source for generating electricity, five of them are now primarily generating electricity from natural gas, and five are mainly using nuclear.

Additionally, of the 11 states where natural gas was the most prevalent electricity generation fuel in 2007, all, except Maine, were still using mostly natural gas in 2017. Hydroelectricity passed natural gas in Maine.