The chart presents data on the utilization of natural fuels in the USA between 1980 and 2030, based on a 2008 scientific report.
Overall, it is evident that petrol and oil have consistently been the highest sources of energy consumption among other fuels, with a steady rise projected until 2030. Meanwhile, coal and natural gas showed significant increases, albeit with fluctuations. Nuclear, solar, wind, and hydropower remained steady with minor changes over the period.
In 1980, petrol and oil had the highest trend compared to other fuels, with values well below 40 quadrillion units. Despite minor shifts between 1985 and 1995, projections show that petrol and oil will increase smoothly until the end of the period. Meanwhile, other two energies, natural gas and coal initially had 20 and well below 20 quadrillion units, respectively. It is predicted that natural gas will increase to well above 25 units by 2015 and remain steady until the end of the period, whereas the number of quadrillion units of coal will substantially increase over the period, with the last predicted high of just below 30 units.
The remaining energies—solar wind, nuclear, and hydropower—had the lowest consumption rate, just over 3 quadrillion units. Despite the negligible fluctuations over the period, nuclear consumption reached just below 10 quadrillion units, and solar wind reached just above 5 quadrillion units. The amount of hydropower remained unchanged from the initial point.