• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My TechDecisions

  • Best of Tech Decisions
  • Topics
    • Video
    • Audio
    • Mobility
    • Unified Communications
    • IT Infrastructure
    • Network Security
    • Physical Security
    • Facility
    • Compliance
  • RFP Resources
  • Resources
  • Podcasts
  • Project of the Week
  • About Us
    SEARCH
Compliance, News

Renewable Energy Beats Coal In U.S. for the First Time

Solar, wind, and hydro power surpassed coal this past spring for a short time – here’s how.

July 15, 2019 Jessica Messier Leave a Comment

green technology

According to Bloomberg, renewable energy supplied more of the U.S.’s electricity than coal in April 2019.

Data released by the Energy Information Administration in late June said that “hydroelectric dams, solar panels and wind turbines generated almost 68.5 million megawatt-hours of power in April, eclipsing the 60 million that coal produced that month,” according to Bloomberg.

The growth is being attributed to the rapid-fire growth of solar and wind farms across the country, and as more power plants choose to be fueled by natural gas instead of coal. Bloomberg also anticipates that solar and wind farms have become so cheap that half of the world’s power could come from renewable energy by 2050.

Still a Ways to Go

While the increase of renewable power sources is growing, it’s by chance that it surpassed coal this past spring: coal-fired power plants did not produce as much in April due to routine yearly maintenance. Once it has caught up post-maintenance, coal is also projected to climb back to the number two fuel source for electricity after natural gas.

However, while coal may climb the ranks again, Bloomberg says the mining industry is collapsing, “even as President Donald Trump works to restore coal to its former glory by gutting environmental rules.” Citing Fitch Ratings, Bloomberg also says that coal’s popularity will tumble in the next ten years: “Even by 2028, hydro, wind, solar and biomass are expected to have a slightly smaller combined footprint in the U.S. than coal, according to a report this week by Fitch.”

Business-wise, large companies are pulling support from the coal industry and plugging into renewables. For example, multiple tech firms are working to boost renewable energy purchases in corporate America through formulating the Renewable Energy Buyers Alliance, striking big deals with large corporations like General Motors, Walmart, and Alphabet, Google’s parent company.

Additionally, large companies are investing in initiatives to push for cleaner energy; Bloomberg’s founder, Michael Bloomberg, is committing $500 million to launch a campaign called Beyond Carbon. The campaign’s goal is to close the remaining coal-powered plants in the U.S. by 2030, and slow the development of new gas plants, Bloomberg says.

If you enjoyed this article and want to receive more valuable industry content like this, click here to sign up for our digital newsletters!

Tagged With: Energy Management, Green Technology

Related Content:

  • Cloud, SASE, Aryaka How the Cloud is Redefining Media Production and…
  • Singlewire Software mass notification interview Singlewire Software on Mass Notification Solutions
  • URI catchbox 1 Catchbox Plus: The Mic Solution That Finally Gave…
  • Engaging virtual meeting with diverse participants discussing creative ideas in a bright office space during daylight hours Diversified Survey: Workplace AV Tech is Falling Short,…

Free downloadable guide you may like:

  • ChatGPT, generative AI, enterprise, workplaceBlueprint Series: ChatGPT and Generative AI in the Workplace

    This latest release of the TechDecisions Blueprint Series explores the new phenomenon of tools such as ChatGPT and how IT leaders should go about deploying generative AI in their organizations.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest Downloads

Practical Design Guide for Office Spaces
Practical Design Guide for Office Spaces

Recent Gartner research shows that workers prefer to return to the office for in-person meetings for relevant milestones, as well as for face-to-fa...

New Camera Can Transform Your Live Production Workflow
New Camera System Can Transform Your Live Production Workflow

Sony's HXC-FZ90 studio camera system combines flexibility and exceptional image quality with entry-level pricing.

Creating Great User Experience and Ultimate Flexibility with Clickshare

Working and collaborating in any office environment today should be meaningful, as workers today go to office for very specific reasons. When desig...

View All Downloads

Would you like your latest project featured on TechDecisions as Project of the Week?

Apply Today!

More from Our Sister Publications

Get the latest news about AV integrators and Security installers from our sister publications:

Commercial IntegratorSecurity Sales

AV-iQ

Footer

TechDecisions

  • Home
  • Welcome to TechDecisions
  • Contact Us
  • Comment Guidelines
  • RSS Feeds
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

Free Technology Guides

FREE Downloadable resources from TechDecisions provide timely insight into the issues that IT, A/V, and Security end-users, managers, and decision makers are facing in commercial, corporate, education, institutional, and other vertical markets

View all Guides
TD Project of the Week

Get your latest project featured on TechDecisions Project of the Week. Submit your work once and it will be eligible for all upcoming weeks.

Enter Today!
Emerald Logo
ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSYour Privacy ChoicesTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY

© 2025 Emerald X, LLC. All rights reserved.