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In a first for renewable resources, wind and solar generated more power than coal in the United States through the first seven months of 2024. Typically, hot summer months bring increased power demands and, consequently, increased electricity generation from coal. But due to a steady stream of coal plant retirements and the expansion of renewables, wind and solar have continued to outpace coal through July.
This trend is largely due to a surge in solar production over the past year—energy generated from solar operations is up 36 percent from the same time last year. Energy from wind is up 8 percent over 2023 levels.
Renewables' success in 2024 is especially impressive considering recent pressures on the energy grid. According to NOAA, last month was the warmest July ever recorded by the agency, which manages global data going back 175 years. The American West is feeling it—last month, numerous states experienced record-breaking temperatures, while California clocked its hottest month in recorded history.
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The Public Lands Rule will ensure locally developed land health standards are a central focus in every agency decision, helping protect healthy wildlife habitat, clean water, and public land access.”
