Natural gas use has dramatically increased in the U.S. due to its lower emissions compared to coal.

Natural gas has experienced a significant rise in use in the U.S., primarily because it produces fewer emissions compared to coal. Natural gas combustion generates around 50% less carbon dioxide (CO₂) than coal for the same amount of energy, making it a cleaner fossil fuel option for electricity generation. The boom in natural gas production, fueled by advances in hydraulic fracturing and horizontal drilling, has also made it more economically competitive. As a result, natural gas has largely replaced coal as the leading source of electricity in the U.S., reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions while supporting a transition to cleaner energy.