Some things that yesterday's bar chart race tells us about the sources of energy here in America:
- Nuclear power provides about 20% of our electricity and has done so reliably for about 30 years - with zero carbon emissions.
- Solar power has never been a big source, not contributing over 1% of our electricity til 2017. Actually, it still was only 1.75% last year.
- Hydroelectric power used to contribute almost a third back in 1949 but has fallen steadily. Last year its share was 6-8%.
- Wind power generated 9% of U.S. electricity last year.
But the biggest impact on America's production of electricity is the role played by natural gas.
*It's a product of our free market. Remarkable innovation in shale gas hydro-fracturing technology enabled companies to save money in capturing it. That means natural gas can be offered for a lower price. That means success in the electrical power business. That means much less in carbon dioxide emissions in America.
*Everybody is better off.
from Carpe Diem
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