A new study finds that wind power and solar photovoltaics could by themselves meet 80 percent of all U.S. electricity demand. This chart from Reuters last week shows that power from wind and solar are already the cheapest sources of power.
CREDIT: REUTERS
Second, the study only examined how wind and solar could power the grid. In doing so, it found these two sources alone could provide 80 percent of the power. This still leaves 20 percent that could be provided by a variety of alternative types of carbon-free power.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration continues to push the archaic coal and oil agenda. Coal-fired electricity in America, by far the dirtiest source, has been declining over the last decade because of cheap natural gas, environmental regulations, increased concern about climate change and renewable energy. However, the Trump administration is set to ask companies to help the government develop small-scale coal-fired power plants.
The Trump administration’s effort to dramatically expand federal offshore oil production has reignited a battle with California that dates back nearly 50 years.
Former concerns with battery storage for solar energy have now been debunked. Costs for battery storage have plummeted in recent years so fast that in Colorado, building new renewable power plus battery storage is now cheaper than running old coal plants.
