chapter 2 fossil fuels major sources of energy in north carolina relies on for most its needs as shown figure 1 petroleum supplies 40 percent natural gas 25 coal 22 nuclear 8 and renewables 4 this concerns are discussed 5 6 use 1999 447 tbtu total is a combustible sedimentary organic rock composed primarily carbon hydrogen oxygen formed from vegetation which has been consolidated between other strata to form seams altered by the combined effects microbial action pressure heat over considerable time period unlike only small portion s supply imported countries however serious environmental impacts burning have made clean technologies key condition continued reliance fuel national trends according eia annual outlook 2002 aeo2002 us consumption projected increase 081 365 million tons 2000 2020 an average per year
