The U.S will produce more power in 2020 from renewables than from coal for the first time. Electric utilities have retired hundreds of old coal plants since 2010 and run remaining plants less frequently. Building large wind farms costs have declined over 40% since then, with solar costs dropping over 80%. With factories, retailers, restaurants and office buildings closed due to the coronavirus, electricity demand has fallen sharply. That has helped drive down our carbon dioxide emissions 15% since 2005. Emissions may be down by another 11% this year partly since we’re driving less, but mainly because coal plants run less often.
Climate Crisis Blog
