1408 ET - As the U.S. gears up to mark the 249th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the EIA takes a look at how energy use has changed over two-and-a-half centuries. Back in 1776, wood--a renewable resource--was used for heating, cooking and lighting, the agency says. Wood was overtaken by coal around 1885, and that was later surpassed by petroleum, which has been the main energy source since 1950. Natural gas overtook coal in 1958 and is the second-largest energy source. More recently, renewables including wind and solar power, as well as biofuels, have tied with nuclear power at 9% and overtaken coal, which accounts for 8% of energy use. Wood energy is still consumed, the EIA adds, "mainly by industrial lumber and paper plants that burn excess wood waste to generate electricity."(anthony.harrup@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

July 02, 2025 14:08 ET (18:08 GMT)

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