Commodities
US Electricity Output Rises 1.2% in February as Gas Prices Fall, Coal Use Shifts, EIA Says
US electricity output rose 1.2% in February 2026 as fuel shifts and price swings reshaped markets, the Energy Information Administration said in the February monthly update on Thursday.Retail electricity sales increased 0.8%, while residential prices climbed 7.4% over the year to $17.65 cents per kilowatt hour, the agency said.Heating degree-days fell 5.2% to 689, signaling milder weather overall even as regional temperature swings drove uneven electricity demand patterns, the report said.Total US electricity generation increased 1.2%, with gains in the Northeast, MidAtlantic, Southeast, and Florida, while Central, West, and Texas regions posted declines, the agency said.Colder eastern weather supported higher generation, while warmer western conditions reduced output despite total production reaching 342,801 thousand megawatt hours, EIA added.Coal-fired output trends diverged regionally, with total coal consumption dropping 11.3% even as some eastern regions increased coal use, the report said.Natural gas generation rose across most regions as consumption increased 1.5% to 967,789 million cubic feet, supported by lower fuel prices, the agency said.Fuel share changes showed some regions shifting toward coal even as Henry Hub natural gas prices declined 7.2% over the year to $3.84 per million British thermal units, it said.The Northeast and MidAtlantic increased use of alternative fuels during winter demand periods as pipeline constraints limited gas supply despite lower prices, the agency said.Nuclear generation rose 0.9% to 62.4 million megawatt hours, contributing to overall growth in electricity supply, the report said.Coal stockpiles declined 1.9% over the year but increased 0.7% over the month to 104,721 thousand tons, remaining relatively low by historical standards, the agency said.Eastern bituminous coal plants reduced forward supply to 120 days from 130, while western subbituminous plants lowered levels to 138 days from 143, EIA said.Henry Hub gas prices dropped sharply from $7.55 per MMBtu in January to $3.84 per MMBtu in February, while New York prices fell to $6.75 per MMBtu from $19.84 per MMBtu, EIA added.On a power-cost basis, gas declined to $30.77 per megawatt-hour from $60.48 per MWh, falling below coal at $35.85 per MWh, while New York gas remained higher at $54.10 per MWh, it said.Wholesale electricity prices in eastern markets ranged from $24 to $260 per MWh due to colder weather and higher demand, the agency said.Western markets recorded tighter price ranges as above-average temperatures reduced winter electricity demand across those systems, the report said.Southern Company and Progress Florida recorded the widest peak demand swings during early February cold snaps, while California demand remained low amid warmer conditions, according to EIA.