CLARKSBURG, W.Va. — Natural gas narrowly edged coal for the largest share of U.S. electric generation in July, according to data published Monday by the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
For the month of July, natural gas accounted for 35 percent of all U.S. electric generation, while coal accounted for 34.9 percent, according to EIA figures.
July marked just the second month ever in which natural gas took the top share of total U.S. electric generation. In April, natural gas eclipsed coal’s share of electric generation for the first time ever.
According to the EIA’s report, the average natural gas price at Henry Hub for July 2015 was $2.91 per million British thermal units (Btu), a 29.7 percent decrease from July 2014. Natural gas consumption for electric generation in July was up 23.2 percent from July 2014, while coal consumption was down 6.3 percent…