from: http://www.eia.doe.gov/kids/energyexplained/sources/non-renewable/naturalgas.html
Grade — B — for this page: doesn't tell a story, but it's ready
A pie diagram of natural gas use. Pipeline fuel - 2.7%, vehicle fuel - 0.1%, electric utilities - 29.7%, commercial - 13.1%, residential use - 20.5%, industrial use - 28.7%
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Data for this graph

Natural Gas Is a Major Energy Source for the United States

About 24% of energy used in the United States came from natural gas in 2008. The United States used 23.8 trillion cubic feet (Tcf) of natural gas, matching the record high set in 2000.

How Natural Gas Is Used

Natural gas is used to produce steel, glass, paper, clothing, brick, electricity and as an essential raw material for many common products. Some products that use natural gas as a raw material are: paints, fertilizer, plastics, antifreeze, dyes, photographic film, medicines, and explosives.

Slightly more than half of the homes in the United States use natural gas as their main heating fuel. Natural gas is also used in homes to fuel stoves, water heaters, clothes dryers, and other household appliances.

The major consumers of natural gas in the United States in 2008 included:

  • Electric power sector — 6.7 trillion cubic feet (Tcf)
  • Industrial sector — 7.9 Tcf
  • Residential sector — 4.9 Tcf
  • Commercial sector — 3.1 Tcf

Where Natural Gas Is Used

Natural gas is used throughout the United States, but the top natural gas consuming States in 2007 were:

  • Texas
  • California
  • Louisiana
  • New York
  • Illinois
  • Florida