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Renewable energy has surpassed coal for the first time in 130 years, as a result of a plunge in demand and the rise of cheaper alternatives. The last time a renewable source was used more widely than coal in the US was in 1885 when wood was the main energy source.
The coronavirus played a big part in the decline of coal-use, but the Energy Information Administration predicted before the outbreak that renewables would rise above coal in 2020. The forecast was made after coal-fired power generation fell to its lowest level in 42 years in 2019. On 21 May 2020, renewables had been used more than coal for 100 days and risen by 1%, while coal-use had fallen by 15%. This is the sixth year of decline for coal, which now accounts for nearly 20% of US electricity compared to 2010 when it was close to 50%. Analysts also predict that coal will fall to 10% by 2030.
Covid-19's role in the decline of coal-use concerns its effect on demand. As offices, restaurants, cinemas, and so on, shut down, demand for electricity plunged and, as coal is much costlier than renewables, it is only used as a last resort.
The fall of coal is a great step towards climate justice and improved environmental health, but as gas is still more popular than clean renewables, this success is very small. Gas produces carbon emissions and is often subjected to massive methane leaks. This contributes substantially to climate change. Gas accounts for 32% of US energy consumption, renewables for 11% and petroleum for 37%. Thus, the US still has to make vast changes to its energy consumption in order to cut their emissions.