More: Read the Energy Information Administration’s full report.
The use of natural gas for electricity generation is expected to rise this summer to levels just below last summer as coal consumption in the electric power sector is expected to decline by 13%, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.
The EIA issued its short-term energy outlook for the spring on Tuesday, revealing that it is changing its climate methodology due to climate change. The short-term energy outlook will combine a 30-year trendline and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s forecast to create a model to inform its energy predictions. “This methodology change will result in warmer forecast weather in the United States in both the winter and the summer,” the EIA said.
Natural gas consumption is expected to rise about 2% for the May-September period this year, and by 3% next year because of the methodology change in climate projections.
“We expect coal consumption in the electric power sector will fall by 13% in 2023 compared with last year due to several factors, including lower natural gas prices, more generation from renewable sources, and coal plant retirements,” the outlook said. “However, because of more overall electricity generation compared with our April STEO, our forecast for coal-fired generation is slightly higher in 2023 than we forecast last month.”
Gasoline prices are expected to average about $3.40 per gallon for the summer driving season, a 20% decrease from the summer of 2022.
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