The graph above is from Visual Capitalist. Notice that Illinois is one of the few states whose main source of electricity releases no greenhouse gasses. Some would say that hydroelectricity fits that definition, too, but it is incorrect. The standing ponds behind dams emit considerable amounts of methane, considerably more problematic than carbon dioxide.
4 states where wind is the leading source, but you guys keep saying it is not a viable energy source. Who would have guessed? All of them solidly blue also so going to assume its also economically viable. Even in North Dakota.Remember when Texas lost power and the GOP blamed wind power? Even Republicans in other states know if it gets cold you have to modify the windmills.
Steve
Keep in mind that my view is that 1) one size does not fit all; and 2) an all-of-the-above strategy makes the most sense. At the present state of technology wind and solar are unsuitable for baseload power—the wind doesn’t blow all of the time; the sun doesn’t shine all of the time. Is it a coincidence that the four states that use a lot of wind power are plains states? Additionally, wind turbine blades are environmentally problematic. I don’t object to using wind and solar but I think that subsidizing them is reckless.
BTW initially I was confused by your referring to North Dakota and Oklahoma as blue.
Sorry. Was in a rush and looking at picture while typing. They are blue on the map but red politically.
” At the present state of technology ”
Nearly all fo the critiques about wind and solar are not referencing current technology but rather wind and solar 10-20 years ago. The current state is that wind power is very viable and it is being used and predictable enough that caseload plants can be reliably taken offline for long periods. That ignorance about wind power helped lead to the dumb accusations that wind power cant be used in the cold, and of course our conservatives believed it. It is not as good an option everywhere and intermittency is an issue but it is a very valuable addition, probably the cheapest energy source right now. The blade issue is a red herring, just like the bird kills.
I am fine with all of the above with the caveat that coal in particular has externalities beyond CO2 production and we should, and have already , work towards it elimination. Natural gas has been a good intermediary. We can gradually replace it as we solve storage and charging issues.
Steve