With hotter summer temperatures in the forecast, natural gas consumption is expected to increase in coming months, and prices along with it.
Electricity demand is at its highest across much of the U.S. in the summertime because of air conditioning. The Energy Information Administration predicts this year, natural gas will provide a majority of that power, overtaking coal as the largest source of electricity for the first time.
Natural gas may not hold onto its place on top for long though. As gas consumption increases, prices are also expected to rise, prompting utilities to switch back to coal, at least for a few years.
By the mid-2020s, the EIA projects both natural gas and renewables will provide larger shares of U.S. electricity than coal.
