It’s Happening! A Shift Toward Sustainable Energy in the USA

Over the past year, we have travelled all over the USA, from coast to coast and border to border. Something we kept noticing all over the country was that sustainable energy sources were abundant. We noticed Kansas had a tremendous amount of wind turbines. And California was brimming with solar farms. We couldn’t help but be optimistic about the future of renewable energy sources in America. Could the USA be shifting away from coal and fossil fuels? Are sustainable energy sources like wind, solar and hydroelectric on the rise? How will this affect the climate crisis?

We looked further into it and as it turns out, America is making the move toward sustainable energy. Advances in sustainable energy sources, falling prices, along with political support are making wind, solar and hydroelectric power a more popular energy resource in the country. 

How do you think a shift toward renewable energy will affect the country? Let us know in the comments below!

A huge landmark occurred in April 2019, when the USA generated more electricity from renewable sources than coal for the first time ever. Imagine that. This was the first time in US history that a renewable source beat out energy sources that release pollution into the air. 

According to The Guardian, the USA has also seen at least 50 coal-fired power plants shut down since 2017. And some say coal has been forced out as the preferred energy source in America. 

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We have recently read about the largest solar farm in America. It sounds so cool, we are tempted to re-visit and check this place out. The solar farm is named ‘Solar Star’ and is spread out over Kern and Los Angeles Counties in California. This massive solar power plant is comprised of 1.7 million solar panels spread out over 13 square kilometres. This solar farm alone creates enough energy to power about 255,000 homes. 

And it is not stopping there. It was recently released that Federal officials plan to approve an even larger solar farm in the desert outside of Las Vegas. This one a whopping 7,100 acres! This will provide electricity to a huge majority of Nevada residents. A great step forward for this city of neon lights.

It’s not just solar that is taking over. The Trump administration has also issued several approvals for the Chokecherry and Sierra Madre wind project. This would be developed in Wyoming. If the project launches, it would be the largest wind farm in the country, with 1,000 turbines capable of producing 3,000 megawatts of power.

Energy expert, Douglas Healy, believes the Mid-West will play a key role in the future of America’s power plans. Since this region contains 30% of the country’s electricity plants and 33% of the nation’s nuclear power plants, it will also likely undergo the most change in the coming decades. The current proposed plan by the Energy Information Administration suggests that 100% of America’s power sources will be sustainable by 2050. And Healy notes that 45% of the country’s gas fields are in the Mid-West. Therefore, he believes this region will be critical in supplying the country with natural gas power as it shifts away from coal and nuclear. 

It’s all very exciting. However, the USA still has a lot of catching up to do. It sits behind many other major countries in terms of renewable energy. 

Far in the lead for wind power is Denmark who draws 41% of its electricity from wind. It is then followed by Ireland with 28% and the European Union who as a whole gets 14% of its power from wind. For comparison, America’s wind farms currently produce 6.6% of the nation’s electricity. But the country has lofty goals. The Department of Energy has prepared a scenario for 35% wind reliance by 2050.

As of 2018, all sources of renewable energy made up more than 17% of net US electricity generation. The bulk of this coming from hydropower (7%) and wind power (6.6%).

We are encouraged by this shift away from nuclear, coal and fossil-fuelled power. As travellers and outdoor enthusiasts, we want to help preserve the world for future generations to enjoy. We are making changes every day in order to lower our carbon footprint. But we know we are too small to make an impact all on our own. 

We find this shift toward sustainable energy and the increase in political support to be great signs for a brighter future.

What are some ways you have made your life and your home more environmentally friendly? Let us know in the comments below!