Fossil fuels muscled out of US power generation mix by renewables

While wind and hydropower are making inroads, coal and gas are retreating

Renewable sources of energy made a record contribution to US net electricity generation last year as the share of fossil fuels in the country's power sector continues its retreat. The proportion of renewable energy, such as hydropower and solar PV, in the country's fuel basket mix rose to 17.1% last year, according to data released by the US Energy Information Administration. That's up from just 15% a year earlier. Hydropower made up 7.5% of the total, wind power accounted for 6.3% while solar power comprised 1.3%. The remainder is comprised of biomass and geothermal power. While the use of renewables in the power sector expanded, power generated from natural gas and coal slumped. Coal-fired