US renewable energy production rises, according to report

1st October 2009

Renewable energy sources provided 11.37 per cent of domestic US energy production in June 2009, according to the latest issue of the US Energy Information Administration’s Monthly Energy Review.

The Electric Power Monthly report also showed that renewable energy sources provided 11.18 per cent of net US electrical generation for the first half of the year.

Tracking the trend over the last several years, renewable energy accounted for 9.89 per cent of domestic energy production during the first half of 2007, 10.20 per cent of domestic energy production for the first half of 2008 and 11.37 per cent as of June this year.

The contribution from renewable sources increased by 4.62 per cent in the first half of 2009 compared with the first half of 2008. Most of the growth came from wind power, which increased by more than 24 per cent. Whereas the proportion from biofuels increased over 13 per cent and hydropower also saw a large increase of 7.14 per cent in the same time frame. The growth of solar and geothermal sources was negligent, the report said.

The percentage contributed by renewable energy to the US energy production is now almost the same as that provided by nuclear power, which stands at just over 11 per cent and has not increased since 2007.

Executive director of the non-profit research organisation SUN DAY campaign Ken Bossong said, ‘As congress debates energy funding priorities and climate legislation, it would do well to take note of the clear trends in the nation’s changing energy mix’.

He added, ‘Renewable energy has become a major player - growing rapidly and nipping at the heels of nuclear power - while fossil fuel use continues to drop’.

Read full report here.

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