Resource Use: April 2025

Supply and fuel consumption

In this section, we look at the resources used to produce electricity. Generating units are chosen to run primarily on their operating costs, of which fuel costs account for the lion's share. Therefore, we present below, electricity generation output by fuel type and generator type. Since the generator/fuel mix of utilities varies significantly by region, we also present generation output by region.

Generation output by region

Net electricity generation in the United States increased 3.9% compared to April 2024. All regions of the country, except for the Northeast, saw an increase in electricity generation compared to the previous April. Texas saw the largest year-over-year increase, up 9.0% compared to the previous April. This occurred because Texas experienced warmer temperatures this April compared to last year, particularly in the southern areas of the state. This led to an increased demand for residential cooling this April compared to the previous year and thus led to an increased demand for electricity generation during April 2025.

Electricity generation from coal increased in all parts of the country, except for the Northeast, compared to April 2024. Conversely, all parts of the country, except for the Northeast, saw the change in electricity from natural gas decrease compared to the previous April. Electricity generation from other renewables increased in all parts of the country, except for the Central region, with Florida (up 27.3%) and the Southeast (up 19.2%) seeing the largest year-over-year percent increases in other renewables generation.

Fossil fuel consumption by region

The chart above compares coal consumption in April 2024 and April 2025 by region and the second tab compares natural gas consumption by region over the same period. Changes in coal and natural gas consumption were similar to their respective changes in coal and natural gas generation.

The third tab presents the change in the relative share of fossil fuel consumption by fuel type on a percentage basis, calculated using equivalent energy content (Btu). This highlights changes in the relative market shares of coal, natural gas, and petroleum. All regions of the country saw their share of coal increase at the expense of natural gas.

The fourth tab presents the change in coal and natural gas consumption on an energy content basis by region. The changes in total coal and natural gas consumption were similar to the changes seen in total coal and natural gas net generation in each region.

Fossil fuel prices

To gain some insight into the changing pattern of consumption of fossil fuels over the past year, we look at relative monthly average spot fuel prices. A common way to compare fuel prices is on an equivalent $/MMBtu basis as shown in the chart above. The average price of natural gas at Henry Hub decreased from the previous month, going from $4.21/MMBtu in March 2025 to $3.45/MMBtu in April 2025. The natural gas price for New York City (Transco Zone 6 NY) decreased in price from the previous month, going from $3.65/MMBtu in March 2025 to $2.92/MMBtu in April 2025. The average spot price of Central Appalachian coal increased in price from the previous month, going from $3.29/MMBtu in March 2025 to $3.36/MMBtu in April 2025.

A fuel price comparison based on equivalent energy content ($/MMBtu) does not reflect differences in energy conversion efficiency (heat rate) among different types of generators. Gas-fired combined-cycle units tend to be more efficient than coal-fired steam units. The second tab shows coal and natural gas prices on an equivalent energy content and efficiency basis. The Henry Hub natural gas price ($27.67/MWh) saw a decrease from the previous month ($33.68/MWh) and was below the Central Appalachian coal price ($36.26/MWh) in April 2025. The price of natural gas at New York City ($23.39/MWh) saw a decrease compared to the previous month ($29.23/MWh) and was below the Central Appalachian coal price ($36.26/MWh).

The conversion shown in this chart is done for illustrative purposes only. The competition between coal and natural gas to produce electricity is more complex. It involves delivered prices and emission costs, the terms of fuel supply contracts, and the workings of fuel markets.