EIA’s Year-End Electrical Report Shows Strong Growth for Renewable Electricity!

The U.S. Energy Information Administration’s (EIA) latest issue of “Electric Power Monthly“, including data through December 31, 2012, states that non-hydro renewable sources have increased by 12.8% last year compared to 2011 and provided 5.4% of new U.S. electrical generation. Solar increased by 138.9% while wind grew 16.6%, geothermal by 9.6%, and biomass (i.e., wood, wood-derived fuels, and other biomass) by 1.6%. These numbers indicate that non-hydro renewable energy sources have more than doubled their contribution to the nation’s electrical supply since 2007. Also in 2012 compared to 2011, total net U.S. electrical generation dropped by 1.1% with petroleum coke & liquids down by 24.1%, coal by 12.5%, and nuclear by 2.6%. Coal has in fact fallen to 37.4% of net electrical generation while nuclear, for the first time in many years, slipped below 19%. The EIA report also reveals the top renewable-electricity generating states for 2012, including California, Arizona, Nevada, New Jersey, and New Mexico as the top five solar states.  “Technical advances, falling costs, and the desire to address climate change have combined to rapidly expand the contribution of renewable energy to the nation’s electrical generation,” said Ken Bossong, Executive Director of the SUN DAY Campaign.

Source: Sun Day Campaign news advisory- EIA’s YEAR-END ELECTRICAL GENERATION REPORT FOR 2012 REVEALS SOLAR GROWING BY 138.9% WIND UP 16.6%, GEOTHERMAL UP 9.6%, BIOMASS UP 1.6% - WHILE NUCLEAR, COAL, AND OIL ALL DECLINE