Future of U.S. nuclear power fleet depends mostly on natural gas prices, carbon policies

Existing U.S. nuclear power generating plants operate under increasingly competitive market conditions brought on by relatively low natural gas prices, increasing electricity generation from renewable energy sources, and limited growth in electric power demand. Several sensitivity cases prepared for EIA's Annual Energy Outlook 2018 (AEO2018) show the potential effects on the U.S. nuclear power fleet of different assumptions for natural gas prices, potential carbon policies, and nuclear power plant operating costs. More »

Natural gas and renewables make up most of 2018 electric capacity additions

EIA expects nearly 32 gigawatts (GW) of new electric generating capacity will come online in the United States in 2018, more than in any year over the past decade. Although renewables such as wind and solar accounted for 98% of the 2 GW added so far this year (based on data for January and February), EIA expects about 21 GW of natural gas-fired generators will come online in 2018. More »

The 2018 EIA Energy Conference is one month away

EIA is hosting its 2018 Energy Conference on Monday, June 4, and Tuesday, June 5, in Washington, DC, where attendees will get up-to-date information on a wide set of emerging energy issues. This two-day event provides an opportunity to meet and network with energy analysts, decision makers, and EIA staff. Last year, more than 900 people from industry, government, and academia attended the conference. More »

Biodiesels produced from certain feedstocks have distinct properties from petroleum diesel

Biodiesel is a renewable fuel made from various feedstocks, including refined vegetable oils, recycled cooking oils, and rendered animal fats. Different feedstocks produce biodiesel with distinct qualities that must be considered when blending biodiesel with petroleum diesel for use in transportation. More »

U.S. imports of Canadian crude oil by rail increase

Growth in Canadian crude oil production has outpaced expansions in pipeline takeaway capacity and, along with past pipeline outages, has driven Canadian crude oil prices lower and increased Canadian crude oil exports by rail to the United States. However, the outlook for increased volumes of Canadian crude oil shipped by rail to the United States is highly uncertain despite significant U.S. demand for Canadian crude oil, specifically on the U.S. Gulf Coast. More »

U.S. crude oil production efficiency continues to improve

U.S. tight oil production increased in 2017, accounting for 54% of total U.S. crude oil production, in part because of the increasing productivity of new wells. Since 2007, the average first full month of oil production from new wells in regions tracked by EIA’s Drilling Productivity Report (DPR) has generally increased. These growing initial production rates have helped tight oil production to increase despite slowdowns in drilling activity when oil prices fell. More »