Coal is a combustible black or brownish-black sedimentary rock composed mostly of carbon and hydrocarbons. It is the most abundant fossil fuel produced in the United States. Over 90 percent of the coal used in the United States is used to generate electricity. It's also used as a basic energy source in many industries, including, steel, cement and paper.

For more facts and figure on coal, check out the Energy Information Administration’s Coal 101.

Natural gas is a nonrenewable source of energy used primarily for heating and generating electricity. The U.S. produces natural gas from wells within the U.S. but also imports natural gas from abroad. The U.S. imports natural gas via pipeline from Canada and Mexico, but to move natural gas from countries that are further away, the natural gas is turned into a liquid (also called "Liquefied Natural Gas" or LNG) by supercooling and transported as a liquid on tankers before being warmed up and turned into a gas upon arrival in the United States.

For more facts and figure on natural gas, check out the
Energy Information Administration’s Natural Gas 101.

Nuclear power accounts for about 19 percent of the total electricity generated in the United States, an amount comparable to all the electricity used in California,Texas and New York, our three most populous (having the most people) states. A nuclear power plant operates basically the same way as a fossil fuel plant, with one difference: the source of heat. The process that produces the heat in a nuclear plant is the fissioning or splitting of uranium atoms. That heat boils water to make the steam that turns the turbine-generator, just as in a fossil fuel plant. The part of the plant where the heat is produced is called the reactor core.

For more facts and figure on nuclear power, check out the
Energy Information Administration’s Nuclear Power Gas 101.

Renewable energy resources are naturally replenished in a relatively short period of time. They include biomass, hydropower, geothermal energy, wind energy, and solar energy. In 2005, about 6% of all energy consumed, and about 9% of total electricity production was from renewable energy sources. Alternative transportation fuels are fuels used for transportation other than gasoline or diesel. Some alternative transportation fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, are renewable while others, such as propane and natural gas, are non-renewable.

For more facts and figure on renewable sources, check out the:
Energy Information Administration’s Renewable and Alternative Fuels 101.

The word petroleum generally refers to crude oil or the refined products obtained from the processing of crude oil (gasoline, diesel fuel, heating oil, etc.) We find petroleum products in every area of our lives. They are easily recognized in the gasoline we use to fuel our cars and the heating oil we use to warm our homes. However, petroleum-based components are also used in plastics, medicines, food items, and a host of other products.

For more facts and figure on petroleum, check out the:
Energy Information Administration’s Petroleum 101.

Renewable energy resources are naturally replenished in a relatively short period of time. They include biomass, hydropower, geothermal energy, wind energy, and solar energy. In 2005, about 6% of all energy consumed, and about 9% of total electricity production was from renewable energy sources. Alternative transportation fuels are fuels used for transportation other than gasoline or diesel. Some alternative transportation fuels, such as ethanol and biodiesel, are renewable while others, such as propane and natural gas, are non-renewable.

For more facts and figure on renewable sources, check out the:
Energy Information Administration’s Renewable and Alternative Fuels 101.