"Wind generated more electricity nationally than coal on three separate days over the past six weeks, according to an E&E News review of federal data.

Such a milestone would have seemed unthinkable a decade ago, when coal accounted for almost half of U.S. power generation. But the last 10 years have seen coal's position steadily erode due to a combination of slack electricity demand, mounting concern over climate, and increased competition from natural gas and renewables.

The novel coronavirus only has intensified the industry's pain. Steve Cicala, a professor who studies power markets at the University of Chicago, reckons that electricity demand is down 8% as a result of the economic lockdowns designed to halt the virus's spread."

Benjamin Storrow reports for Climatewire April 21, 2020. [2]