Natural gas is poised to overtake petroleum as America's top fuel for the first time since 1950
The U.S. energy market is on the verge of a historic shift: natural gas is poised to overtake petroleum as the dominant fuel source for the first time since 1950. Currently, petroleum holds 37% of U.S. energy consumption versus natural gas at 36%, separated by just one percentage point. The article explains the drivers behind natural gas's rise — including abundant supply, lower emissions, and growing use in power generation and data centers — and explores the economic and geopolitical implications of this transition.
Key quotes
In 1950, petroleum ended coal's run as the dominant fuel in the United States. That was the last time the top spot in American energy changed hands. 75 years later, it is about to change again.
In 2025, petroleum accounted for 37% of U.S. energy consumption while natural gas sat at 36%, according to EIA data cited by Bloomberg.
One percentage point separates the country's current top fuel from the one rising fast enough to overtake it.
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