EAST GREENSBORO, N.C. (March 25, 2025) — According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, nonrenewable sources like “fossil fuels — petroleum, natural gas, and coal — accounted for about 84% of total U.S. primary energy production in 2023.” When fossil fuels are burned, however, carbon dioxide is released into the atmosphere, trapping in heat and increasing the Earth’s temperature and creating what’s known as the greenhouse gas effect.