U.S. Energy Information Administration Expects Less Electricity To Come From Coal This Summer As Natural Gas, Renewables Rise

In their most recent Short Term Energy Outlook (May ’19), the EIA projects US power plants to generate 1.168 million megawatts of electricity during the summer months this year (June – August). Natural gas will be the primary fuel source with EIA estimating a 40% market share, up from the 39% share last summer. The once dominate coal is projecting to drop from 28% last summer down to 25% market share this summer. In the Midwest, coal will still be a dominant force with EIA projecting it to provide 45% of electricity this summer. Still, this report highlights the gradual switch over to natural gas and renewables.