Biden calls for 100 percent clean electricity by 2035. Here’s how far we have to go.
100% 38% 28% Clean electricity Share of U.S. electricity generation from zero- carbon sources 2001 2019 2035 This month the Democratic presumptive presidential nominee, Joe Biden, outlined an ambitious plan for tackling climate change that shows how far the party has shifted on the issue since it controlled the White House. President Barack Obamas Clean Power Plan had called for the electricity sector to cut its carbon pollution 32 percent by 2030, and did not lay out a trajectory for phasing out oil, coal or natural gas production. This year, Democratic 2020 hopefuls such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) went much further, suggesting the United States should derive all of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 as part of a $16.3 trillion plan to wean the nation away from fossil fuels. Many other congressional Democrats have embraced the Green New Deal the nonbinding resolution calling for a carbon-free power sector by 2030 and more energy efficient buildings and vehicles, along with a massive investment in electric vehicles and high-speed rail. [ Where 2020 Democrats stand on climate change ] Last year, 38 percent of U.S. electricity generated came from clean sources, according to a Washington Post analysis of data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration. U.S. electricity generation by fuel source in 2019 Natural gas 38% Fossil fuels 62% Coal 23% Other fossil fuels 1% Clean electricity 38% Nuclear 19% Hydroelectric 7% Renewable 18% Wind 7% Solar 3% Biomass 1% Geothermal <1% U.S. electricity generation by fuel source in 2019 Natural gas 38% Fossil fuels 62% Coal 23% Other fossil fuels 1% Clean electricity 38% Nuclear 19% Hydroelectric 7% Renewable 18% Wind 7% Solar 3% Biomass 1% Geothermal <1% U.S. electricity generation by fuel source in 2019 Clean electricity 38% Fossil fuels 62% Renewable 18% Other fossil fuels 1% Wind 7% Nuclear 19% Natural gas 38% Coal 23% Hydroelectric 7% Geothermal <1% Solar 3% Biomass 1% U.S. electricity generation by fuel source in 2019 Clean electricity 38% Fossil fuels 62% Renewable 18% Other fossil fuels 1% Wind 7% Nuclear 19% Natural gas 38% Coal 23% Hydroelectric 7% Geothermal <1% Solar 3% Biomass 1% U.S. electricity generation by fuel source in 2019 Clean electricity 38% Fossil fuels 62% Renewable 18% Other fossil fuels 1% Wind 7% Hydroelectric 7% Nuclear 19% Natural gas 38% Coal 23% Solar 3% Biomass 1% Geothermal <1% Bidens new plan, which carries a price tag of $2 trillion, would eliminate carbon emissions from the electric sector by 2035, impose stricter gas mileage standards, fund investments to weatherize millions of homes and commercial buildings, and upgrade the nations transportation system. To reach its 2035 carbon-free electricity goal, the campaign includes wind , solar and several forms of energy that are not always counted in state renewable portfolio standards, such as nuclear, hydropower and biomass. A great appeal of the Biden proposal is that it is much closer to targeting carbon directly, which is the ultimate enemy, and plays fewer favorites with particular technologies, said Michael Greenstone, who directs the University of Chicagos Energy Policy Institute. This will reduce the costs to consumers and give more carbon bang for the buck. But some environmentalists, such as Friends of the Earth President Erich Pica, question the idea of including more controversial carbon-free technologies. There is no role for nuclear in a least-cost, low carbon world. Including these dinosaurs in a clean energy standard is going to incentivize industry efforts to keep aging, dangerous facilities online, Pica said in an email. Hydropower, which relies on a system of moving water that constantly recharges, is defined as renewable by the Environmental Protection Agency. Biomass is often considered as carbon neutral because even though it releases carbon dioxide when it is burned, the plants capture nearly the same amount of CO2 while growing. Both forms of energy have come under fire for their environmental impacts, however. Damming streams and rivers can destroy fish habitat and make it more difficult for them to spawn, and it also seems unlikely that hydropower will expand its current 6 percent share of the nations electrical grid. Many experts argue that classifying biomass energy as carbon neutral provides an incentive to cut down trees that would otherwise remain standing and sequester carbon. If burning this wood were good for the climate, then we should not recycle paper, we should burn it, noted Tim Searchinger, a research scholar at the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs. How each state generated electricity in 2019 Clean electricity Fossil fuels Total electricity generated in the state in 2019 Renewable Nuclear Nearly all electricity generated in Vermont came from zero-carbon sources U.S. average clean electricity 50% 50% 100% fossil fuels 100% clean VT WA ME ID NH SD IL OR Illinois lead the nation in the amount of electricity generated from nuclear power NY SC CA KS TN IA MN MD CT 42% of electricity generated in Iowa came from wind NC MT NE NJ AL PA AZ OK VA MI GA ND MA NV AR TX Texas , the biggest electricity producing state, also produced the most clean electricity CO AK NM WI HI MS MO LA OH FL 91% of West Virginia electricity generation came from coal, more than any other state WY UT RI IN KY WV DE 50% 50% 100% clean 100% fossil fuels How each state generated electricity in 2019 Clean electricity Fossil fuels Total electricity generated in the state in 2019 Renewable Nuclear Nearly all electricity generated in Vermont came from zero-carbon sources U.S. average clean electricity 75% 50% 25% 25% 50% 75% 100% fossil fuels 100% clean VT WA ME ID NH SD IL OR Illinois lead the nation in the amount of electricity generated from nuclear power NY SC CA KS TN IA MN MD 42% of electricity generated in Iowa came from wind CT NC MT NE NJ AL PA AZ OK VA MI GA ND MA NV AR TX Texas , the biggest electricity producing state, also produced the most clean electricity CO AK NM WI HI MS MO LA OH FL 91% of West Virginia electricity generation came from coal, more than any other state WY UT RI IN KY WV DE 75% 50% 25% 25% 50% 75% 100% clean 100% fossil fuels How each state generated electricity in 2019 Fossil fuels Clean electricity Total electricity generated in the state in 2019 Nearly all electricity generated in Vermont came from zero-carbon sources Nuclear Renewable U.S. average clean electricity 75% 50% 25% 25% 50% 75% 100% fossil fuels 100% clean VT WA ME ID NH SD IL OR NY Illinois lead the nation in the amount of electricity generated from nuclear power SC CA KS TN IA MN MD 42% of electricity generated in Iowa came from wind CT NC MT NE NJ AL PA AZ OK VA MI GA ND MA NV AR Texas , the biggest electricity producing state, also produced the most clean electricity TX CO AK NM WI HI MS MO LA OH FL WY 91% of West Virginia electricity generation came from coal, more than any other state UT RI IN KY WV DE 75% 50% 25% 25% 50% 75% 100% fossil fuels 100% clean How each state generated electricity in 2019 Fossil fuels Clean electricity Nearly all electricity generated in Vermont came from zero-carbon sources Total electricity generated in the state in 2019 Renewable Nuclear U.S. average clean electricity 50% 100% clean 75% 25% 50% 75% 25% 100% fossil fuels VT WA ME ID NH SD IL OR NY Illinois lead the nation in the amount of electricity generated from nuclear power SC CA KS TN IA MN MD 42% of electricity generated in Iowa came from wind CT NC MT NE NJ AL PA AZ OK VA MI GA ND MA NV AR Texas , the biggest electricity producing state, also produced the most clean electricity TX CO AK NM WI HI MS MO LA OH FL 91% of West Virginia electricity generation came from coal, more than any other state WY UT RI IN KY WV DE 100% clean 75% 50% 25% 50% 25% 75% 100% fossil fuels How each state generated electricity in 2019 Total electricity generated in the state in 2019 Clean electricity Renewable Nuclear Nearly all electricity generated in Vermont came from zero-carbon sources Fossil fuels 100% clean electricity ME ID WA NH 75% 42% of electricity generated in Iowa came from wind Texas , the biggest electricity producing state, also produced the most clean electricity SD IL OR NY SC CA KS TN MN 50% NE MD CT MT NC NJ AL PA ND AZ U.S. average clean electricity OK MA AK VA MI GA NV NM AR HI TX CO 25% WI MS WY MO LA OH FL UT RI DE IN KY WV 25% 50% Illinois lead the nation in the amount of electricity generated from nuclear power 75% 91% of West Virginia electricity generation came from coal, more than any other state 100% fossil fuels How each state generated electricity in 2019 Total electricity generated in the state in 2019 Clean electricity Renewable Nuclear Nearly all electricity generated in Vermont came from zero-carbon sources Fossil fuels 100% clean electricity ME ID WA NH 75% 42% of electricity generated in Iowa came from wind SD Texas , the biggest electricity producing state, also produced the most clean electricity IL OR NY SC CA KS TN IA MN 50% NE MD CT MT NC NJ AL PA ND AZ U.S. average clean electricity OK MA AK VA MI GA NV NM AR HI TX CO 25% WI MS WY MO LA OH FL UT RI DE IN KY WV 25% 50% Illinois lead the nation in the amount of electricity generated from nuclear power 75% 91% of West Virginia electricity generation came from coal, more than any other state 100% fossil fuels How each state generated electricity in 2019 Total electricity generated in the state in 2019 Clean electricity Renewable Nuclear Nearly all electricity generated in Vermont came from zero-carbon sources Fossil fuels 100% clean electricity ME ID WA NH 75% 42% of electricity generated in Iowa came from wind SD Texas , the biggest electricity producing state, also produced the most clean electricity IL OR NY SC CA KS TN IA MN 50% NE MD CT MT NC NJ AL PA ND AZ U.S. average clean electricity OK MA AK VA MI GA NV NM AR HI TX CO 25% WI MS WY MO LA OH FL UT RI DE IN KY WV 25% 50% Illinois lead the nation in the amount of electricity generated from nuclear power 75% 91% of West Virginia electricity generation came from coal, more than any other state 100% fossil fuels More than half of the country 30 states, Washington, and three territories have adopted a renewable portfolio standard (RPS), according to the National Conference of State Legislatures , and seven states and one territory have set renewable energy goals. While 14 states, along with the District, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands, have established requirements of 50 percent or more carbon-free electricity, nearly as many have set theirs at 15 percent or less. Some states have strengthened their clean energy plans ... New York Maine Fossil fuels 80% 62% Nuclear U.S. average clean electricity Renewable 2001 2019 2001 2019 Some states have strengthened their clean energy plans ... New York Maine 80% Fossil fuels 62% Nuclear 45% 33% U.S. average clean electricity Renewable 2001 2019 2001 2019 Some states have strengthened their clean energy plans ... New York Maine 80% Fossil fuels 62% 45% Nuclear U.S. average clean electricity 33% Renewable 2001 2019 2001 2019 Some states have strengthened their clean energy plans ... New York Maine 80% Fossil fuels 62% 45% Nuclear 33% U.S. average clean electricity Renewable 2001 2019 2001 2019 Some states have strengthened their clean energy plans ... New York Maine 80% Fossil fuels 62% 45% Nuclear 33% U.S. average clean electricity Renewable 2001 2019 2001 2019 Maine Gov. Janet Mills (D) has pushed clean electricity aggressively since taking office in 2019, lifting a wind energy moratorium imposed by her predecessor and signing bills aimed at expanding the states carbon-free energy sources. Biomass accounts for a quarter of the states electricity, more than any other state. New York has one of the countrys most ambitious climate targets, which it scaled up last year. It aims to obtain 70 percent of its power from renewable sources within a decade and eliminate carbon altogether by 2040, even as the state is in the process of shutting down a major nuclear plant near New York City, Indian Point, which is slated to cease operating on April 30, 2021. ... while other states are weakening theirs Ohio West Virginia 17% 6% 2001 2019 2001 2019 ... while other states are weakening theirs Ohio West Virginia 17% 12% 6% 1% 2001 2019 2001 2019 ... while other states are weakening theirs Ohio West Virginia 17% 12% 6% 1% 2001 2019 2001 2019 ... while other states are weakening theirs Ohio West Virginia 17% 12% 6% 1% 2001 2019 2001 2019 ... while other states are weakening theirs Ohio West Virginia 17% 12% 6% 1% 2001 2019 2001 2019 Last year, Ohio weakened its renewable energy standard from a target of 12.5 percent in 2027 to 8.5 percent by 2026, without setting any future goals, and jettisoned its energy efficiency standard. West Virginia which established modest renewable requirements in 2009 repealed them altogether in 2015, the year they were set to take effect. Change in fuel source for electricity generation States are ordered by share of clean energy in 2019 Vt. Wash. Maine Idaho 100% 80 80 78 50% 2001 2019 N.H. S.D. Ill. Ore. 78 68 62 62 N.Y. S.C. Calif. Kan. 62 61 59 60 Tenn. Iowa Minn. Md. 57 52 50 48 Conn. N.C. Mont. Neb. 46 44 43 42 N.J. Ala. Pa. Ariz. 42 41 40 40 Okla. Va. Mich. Ga. 37 36 36 35 N.D. Mass. Nev. Ark. 34 32 29 29 Tex. Colo. Alaska N.M. 28 25 25 25 Wis. Hawaii Miss. Mo. 24 22 19 17 La. Ohio Fla. Wyo. 17 17 16 12 Utah R.I. Ind. Ky. 12 9 7 6 W.Va. Del. 6 4 Change in fuel source for electricity generation States are ordered by share of clean energy in 2019 Vt. Wash. Maine Idaho 100% 80 80 78 50% 2001 2019 N.H. S.D. Ill. Ore. 78 68 62 62 N.Y. S.C. Calif. Kan. 62 61 59 60 Tenn. Iowa Minn. Md. 57 52 50 48 Conn. N.C. Mont. Neb. 46 44 43 42 N.J. Ala. Pa. Ariz. 42 41 40 40 Okla. Va. Mich. Ga. 37 36 36 35 N.D. Mass. Nev. Ark. 34 32 29 29 Tex. Colo. Alaska N.M. 28 25 25 25 Wis. Hawaii Miss. Mo. 24 22 19 17 La. Ohio Fla. Wyo. 17 17 16 12 Utah R.I. Ind. Ky. 12 9 7 6 W.Va. Del. 6 4 Change in fuel source for electricity generation States are ordered by share of clean energy in 2019 Vt. Wash. Maine Idaho N.H. S.D. 100% 80 80 78 78 68 50% 2001 2019 Ill. Ore. N.Y. S.C. Calif. Kan. 62 61 62 62 60 59 Tenn. Iowa Minn. Md. Conn. N.C. 57 52 50 48 46 44 Mont. Neb. N.J. Ala. Pa. Ariz. 43 42 42 41 40 40 Okla. Va. Mich. Ga. N.D. Mass. 36 37 36 35 34 32 Nev. Ark. Tex. Colo. Alaska N.M. 29 29 28 25 25 25 Wis. Hawaii Miss. Mo. La. Ohio 24 22 17 17 17 19 Fla. Wyo. Utah R.I. Ind. Ky. 16 12 12 9 6 7 W.Va. Del. 6 4 Change in fuel source for electricity generation States are ordered by share of clean energy in 2019 Vt. Wash. Maine Idaho N.H. S.D. 100% 80 80 78 78 68 50% 2019 2001 Ill. Ore. N.Y. S.C. Calif. Kan. 62 61 62 62 60 59 Tenn. Iowa Minn. Md. Conn. N.C. 57 52 50 48 46 44 Mont. Neb. N.J. Ala. Pa. Ariz. 43 42 42 41 40 40 Okla. Va. Mich. Ga. N.D. Mass. 36 37 36 35 34 32 Nev. Ark. Tex. Colo. Alaska N.M. 29 29 28 25 25 25 Wis. Hawaii Miss. Mo. La. Ohio 24 22 17 17 17 19 Fla. Wyo. Utah R.I. Ind. Ky. 16 12 12 9 6 7 W.Va. Del. 6 4 Change in fuel source for electricity generation States are ordered by share of clean energy in 2019 Vt. Wash. Maine Idaho N.H. S.D. 100% 80 80 78 78 68 50% 2001 2019 Ill. Ore. N.Y. S.C. Calif. Kan. 62 61 62 62 60 59 Tenn. Iowa Minn. Md. Conn. N.C. 57 52 50 48 46 44 Mont. Neb. N.J. Ala. Pa. Ariz. 43 42 42 41 40 40 Okla. Va. Mich. Ga. N.D. Mass. 36 37 36 35 34 32 Nev. Ark. Tex. Colo. Alaska N.M. 29 29 28 25 25 25 Wis. Hawaii Miss. Mo. La. Ohio 24 22 17 17 17 19 Fla. Wyo. Utah R.I. Ind. Ky. 16 12 12 9 6 7 W.Va. Del. 6 4