The United States is at the forefront of a clean energy revolution that is transforming the way we produce and use energy. This shift is being driven by a variety of factors, including concerns about climate change, air pollution, and energy security, as well as the increasing availability and affordability of clean energy technologies.

One key player in this revolution is renewable energy. Solar and wind power are becoming increasingly cost-competitive with fossil fuels, and their prices are continuing to fall. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, renewable energy accounted for 17% of total U.S. electricity generation in 2020, and that number is expected to continue to grow. Solar power alone generated enough electricity in the United States to power 10 million homes in 2020, and wind power generated enough electricity to power over 29 million homes.

The electrification of transportation is also playing a major role in the clean energy revolution. Electric vehicles (EVs) emit zero tailpipe emissions and can be powered by clean energy sources, making them a key part of the solution to air pollution and climate change. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that there were over 1.9 million EVs on the road in the United States as of 2020, and that number is expected to continue to grow as the cost of EVs continues to fall and charging infrastructure improves.

Policies and initiatives at the state and federal level are also driving the clean energy revolution. Many states have established renewable energy targets and incentives to encourage the deployment of clean energy technologies. The federal government has also set ambitious clean energy goals and provided funding for research and development. For example, the U.S. Department of Energy’s SunShot Initiative aims to make solar energy cost-competitive with other forms of electricity by 2020.

The clean energy revolution is already having a positive impact on the United States. It is creating jobs, reducing pollution, and increasing energy security. According to the Solar Foundation, the solar industry alone employed over 250,000 people in the United States in 2020. The clean energy revolution is also helping to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In 2020, renewable energy sources avoided an estimated 588 million metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions in the United States.

However, there is still more work to be done to fully realize the potential of clean energy. Continued investment in research and development, as well as the adoption of policies that support the transition to clean energy, will be crucial to ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for the United States.

References:

• “Renewable Energy in the United States” (U.S. Department of Energy) https://www.energy.gov/eere/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-united-states
• “Electric Vehicles in the United States” (U.S. Department of Energy) https://www.energy.gov/eere/electricvehicles/electric-vehicles-united-states
• “2020 U.S. Solar Industry Census” (The Solar Foundation) https://www.thesolarfoundation.org/solar-industry-data/census/2020-us-solar-industry-census/

What exactly is the clean energy revolution and what are its drivers?

The clean energy revolution refers to the shift towards the use of clean, low-carbon energy sources and technologies in the United States. This includes the increased deployment of renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power, as well as the electrification of transportation through the use of electric vehicles (EVs).

There are several factors driving the clean energy revolution in the United States. One major factor is concern about climate change and the need to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The burning of fossil fuels, such as coal and oil, is a major contributor to climate change, and transitioning to clean energy sources can help reduce these emissions.

Another factor is air pollution. The use of fossil fuels for electricity and transportation is a major source of air pollution, which can have negative impacts on human health and the environment. Transitioning to clean energy sources can help reduce air pollution.

In addition, the increasing availability and affordability of clean energy technologies is driving the clean energy revolution. The costs of solar and wind power have fallen significantly in recent years, making them more competitive with fossil fuels. Advances in energy storage technologies are also making it possible to store and dispatch clean energy as needed, even when the sun isn’t shining or the wind isn’t blowing.

Policies and initiatives at the state and federal level are also playing a role in the clean energy revolution. Many states have established renewable energy targets and incentives to encourage the deployment of clean energy technologies. The federal government has also set ambitious clean energy goals and provided funding for research and development.

The clean energy revolution is already having a positive impact on the United States. It is creating jobs, reducing pollution, and increasing energy security. It is also helping to combat climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, there is still more work to be done to fully realize the potential of clean energy. Continued investment in research and development, as well as the adoption of policies that support the transition to clean energy, will be crucial to ensuring a sustainable and prosperous future for the United States.

References:

• “Renewable Energy in the United States” (U.S. Department of Energy) https://www.energy.gov/eere/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-united-states
• “Electric Vehicles in the United States” (U.S. Department of Energy) https://www.energy.gov/eere/electricvehicles/electric-vehicles-united-states
• “Clean Energy Revolution” (Union of Concerned Scientists) https://www.ucsusa.org/clean-energy/renewable-energy/clean-energy-revolution

Why some states in the US are behind in the clean energy revolution.

There are several reasons why some states in the United States may be lagging behind in the clean energy revolution. One reason is the availability and affordability of clean energy technologies. In some states, access to renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power may be limited due to geographic or climatic factors. For example, states with relatively low levels of solar insolation (i.e., sunlight) may be less able to take advantage of solar energy. Similarly, states without strong wind resources may be less able to tap into wind power.

Another reason is the lack of supportive policies and incentives. Some states may not have established renewable energy targets or incentives to encourage the deployment of clean energy technologies. Without these types of policies, it may be more difficult for clean energy projects to get off the ground.

Finally, some states may simply be more reliant on fossil fuels than others. For example, states with large coal or oil industries may be more resistant to the transition to clean energy, as this shift could potentially disrupt these industries.

There are several examples of states that have lagged behind in the clean energy revolution. For instance, West Virginia and Wyoming are two states that have relatively low levels of renewable energy generation. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, renewable energy sources accounted for just 3% of total electricity generation in West Virginia and 4% in Wyoming in 2020.

However, it is important to note that the clean energy revolution is an ongoing process, and it is possible for states to catch up. Many states that have lagged behind in the past have made significant progress in recent years. For example, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, the state of Texas has made significant progress in expanding its renewable energy capacity in recent years, and it is now the leading state in terms of wind power generation.

References:

• “Renewable Energy in the United States” (U.S. Department of Energy) https://www.energy.gov/eere/renewable-energy/renewable-energy-united-states
• “Electricity in West Virginia” (U.S. Energy Information Administration) https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=WV
• “Electricity in Wyoming” (U.S. Energy Information Administration) https://www.eia.gov/state/analysis.php?sid=WY
• “Texas leads the nation in wind power generation” (U.S. Department of Energy) https://www.energy.gov/eere/wind/texas-leads-nation-wind-power-generation

Listen to Rarosue’s interview with Professor Nostrand, a Law and Energy professor at West Virginia University on the Sustainability Nuggets podcast to learn more about this topic.