Renewable energy sources (i.e., biomass, geothermal, hydropower, solar, wind) produced significantly more electricity than either coal or nuclear power in nearly 30 states, according to a SUN DAY Campaign analysis of just-released data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA).
In May alone, renewable sources accounted for more than one-quarter (25.3%) of the nation’s net electrical generation — an all-time high. The issue reveals that utility-scale renewables provided more electricity than coal in 27 states, likewise outpaced nuclear power in 30.
It is pertinent to mention that five states and Washington, D.C. have not generated electricity from coal this year. Similarly, four of the region’s states produced no electricity using nuclear power. In five states out West, renewables have produced more electricity than coal and nuclear power combined.
The energy produced by renewables accounted for 20.8% of the nation’s electrical generation as compared to 19.4% from nuclear and 18.4% from coal for the same period of time. Whereas last year renewable’s share was 18.7% compared to 19.3% from nuclear and 23.6% from coal.
There is no second-guessing that falling costs, renewable portfolio standards, technology advancements, and ever-greater concerns about climate change, are the key elements in this transition away from coal/fossil fuel and nuclear power. It is absolutely possible that if these numbers continue to elevate, fossil fuels, coal, and nuclear will be relegated to niche markets by the mix of renewable energy sources.
