"'It's Just Economics.' Wind Blows Past Coal In Texas"

"To witness the transformation of America's power sector, go to Texas.

Earlier this month, the state's grid operator reported wind had generated more electricity than coal through the first six months of the year.

The announcement is significant on several fronts. Texas is America's largest consumer of coal. The 93 million tons burned by the Lone Star State's power plants in 2017 was more than double that of the 39 million tons consumed by Missouri, the second-biggest coal-consuming state, according to figures collected by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

Yet coal is declining in Texas. Four large coal plants retired in the state last year. Another, Gibbons Creek, will close down this fall. Where the black mineral generated almost 40% of Texas' electricity in 2010, it was responsible for less than a quarter of the state's power production last year."

Benjamin Storrow reports for ClimateWire July 23, 2019.

Source: ClimateWire, 07/23/2019