Coal Generation Drops to 30-Year Low

[kristopher]

Coal Generation Drops to 30-Year Low
Coal still reigns, but its power grip may be loosening.


The percentage of electricity generated by coal in the first quarter of this year was the lowest it has been in more than 30 years.

New data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration showed that coal generated about 440 terawatt hours, 26.5 TWh less than the same quarter of 2010. Overall generation of electricity increased slightly in the same time period.

Don’t be confused by the figures, however. Coal is still king, making up 46 percent of total generation -- although that’s 3 percent lower than the same period last year.

There are various reasons for the decrease in coal. One reason is that as coal prices have steadily risen in many areas of the U.S., natural gas has stayed relatively cheap. Even the coal-rich Midwest is using less of its prized resource, although it still makes up nearly 70 percent of the electricity generation in the region.

The slight downturn...

http://www.greentechmedia.com/articles/read/coal-generation-drops-to-30-year-low/

[TheWraith]

1. So it kills maybe 39,500 people this year instead of 40,000. Joy. nt

[NickB79]

2. Don't worry, China's picking up the slack for us, and then some. NT

[FBaggins]

3. China's mix is improving faster than just about anyone else

The problem is that their overall demand is climbing so fast as their living standard improves. There's no way around that apart from asking people to stay in poverty.

[FBaggins]

4. But not in Germany or Japan of course.

But more coal is the price you're willing to pay for less nuclear.