The pie charts provide a comparative analysis of electric energy production in the United States for the years 1970 and 1980.
Overall, coal remained the predominant source of energy in both years, while there were notable shifts in the contributions of other energy sources across the decade.
In 1970, coal represented 47% of the total electric energy production, making it the largest contributor. Following coal, natural gas accounted for 24%, while hydroelectric power comprised 16%. Oil contributed 12% to the energy mix, and nuclear energy was marginal, constituting only 1% of the total production. This distribution indicates a heavy reliance on fossil fuels during this period.
By 1980, coal’s dominance in energy production had increased to 51%, reflecting a 4% rise over the decade. Conversely, natural gas witnessed a decline, dropping to 15%, and hydroelectric power decreased to 11%. Oil remained static at 11%, indicating a stabilization in its use. Notably, nuclear energy experienced a significant increase to 12%, demonstrating a shift towards alternative energy sources. This transition suggests a changing landscape in U.S. energy production practices within the span of ten years.