The clean energy revolution is on the verge of a tipping point. That’s the verdict at least after a new report found that the renewable energy sector had slightly more installed capacity than coal in April.
That means US power plants can produce more energy from clean sources than coal for the first time in history, according to the nonprofit research group Sun Day Campaign. The report backs a separate report which found that the renewable energy sector was projected to have generated more electricity than coal in April—albeit those changes were partially driven by seasonal issues.
At the same time, America has drastically cut back on its appetite for coal. Since peaking in 2008, US coal consumption has plunged 39% to the lowest level in 40 years. The milestones come despite the White House attempting to prop up the coal industry by cutting environmental rules.
