As we enjoy the cooler weather of October, we’re reminded of reasons to celebrate Energy Awareness Month. From pumpkin spice lattes to cozy heaters on the patio, energy is all around us making our modern lives possible.

We use energy every day, yet we take for granted the ability to charge our cell phones, make our coffee, and get to work safely. Fossil fuels such as natural gas and petroleum make these things possible in more ways than one.

For starters, fossil fuels continue to provide the majority of our country’s electricity generation. About 60% of U.S. homes use natural gas for home and water heating, cooking, and drying clothes according to 2022 EIA data. That’s approximately 74 million homes.

Fossil fuels also play a significant role in the production and distribution of renewable energy sources, and in the production of electric vehicles.

• Solar Panels – Solar panels require oil and natural gas during the construction process. One important piece of the solar puzzle is the solar silicon dioxide cells used to convert sunlight to electricity.

• Wind Turbines – Wind turbine blades are made of carbon fiber blend, which consists of layers of plastics and plastic resin. Both materials are derived from oil and natural gas byproducts.

• Transportation – Diesel-fueled trucks transport solar panels and wind turbines to their final destinations.

• Electric Vehicles – Modern cars are made with vinyl seat belts, nylon airbags, plastic dashboards, laminated glass windshields, foam cushions, and other plastic exterior parts that help absorb impact in the “crumple zone” in an accident.

We often overlook how integrated oil and natural gas are in our daily lives, and how instrumental the industry is to improving lives around the globe. Access to affordable and readily available energy is vital for quality of life and economic development.

Fossil fuels currently supply approximately 80% of the global energy demand. Vast fossil fuel reserves throughout the U.S. can support our domestic energy needs and aid international demand as populations continue to grow. There’s a clear solution: Pair existing fossil fuel resources with new technologies to support the development of a broad portfolio of clean energy resources worldwide.

To learn more visit EnergyTransfer.com.