The EIA’s Annual Energy Outlook 2018 looks ahead to 2050 and projects huge increases in natural gas use with flat CO2 emissions and double the economy.

The Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) Annual Energy Outlook (AEO) 2018 projects that fossil fuels will supply 78% of the nation’s energy in 2050, only slightly down from 81% today. Further, CO2 emissions in the agency’s forecast grow only slightly in the ensuing three decades—by just 1.8% between 2016 and 2050, despite the economy almost doubling over the 34-year forecast.

The mix of fuels is projected to change with natural gas and non-hydroelectric renewables garnering a larger share than today. Natural gas consumption grows the most on an absolute basis and non-hydroelectric renewable energy grows the most on a percentage basis. However, non-hydroelectric renewable energy makes only slight in-roads in this 34-year period, increasing from an 8 percent share in 2016 to a 13% share in 2050. The United States becomes a net energy exporter by 2022.

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http://naturalgasnow.org/energy-future-2x-gdp-natural-gas-flat-co2-emissions/