US Grid Low-carbon 40% YTD

ArsTechnica: "40% of US electricity is now emissions-free." Data through October from the EIA show the evolution of the grid. Methane gas, coal + solar see the biggest changes. "Some forms of generation are seasonal—notably solar, which has its highest production over the summer months." Weather is always a factor, if a strikingly cold winter ensues [which is not in the cards] then potentially older fossil fuel plants could be brought back online. Hydroelectric generation is also obviously weather-dependent. A key point is demand is flat, because of efficiency gains, so total actually down 1% from last year. Coal is plummeting, down to 16.2% from 20% from last year. [As recently as 1998 thermal coal produced over half our electricity]. Wind + solar are up to a combined 16%, so a dead-heat at the moment, but smart money is on the renewables surging ahead of coal next yr. Nuclear added 1 new reactor in 2023, with the second one pending in 2024, but this sector is at 18% for now, + it is highly unlikely any more nuclear will be added this decade. Instead the 'challenge will be keeping open the older plants despite their age and high costs.' Methane gas is the fastest-growing sector, up to 43.3% from 40% last yr. In my hometown I see a gas plant operating more of the time than 2 yrs ago. Unhappily, the chain of gas extraction, processing, transportation + utilization leaks enough methane that ultimately the atmospheric effects as as bad as coal, which clearly makes this the next sector with a target on its back. Interesting times.