A recent report by the National Resources Defense Council, “A Tectonic Shift in America’s Energy Landscape,” documents the shift towards renewable sources of energy.
Among the findings:
- Electricity consumption grew at only half the rate of population growth from 2000 to 2014. This is attributable largely to huge efficiency contributions from utility programs and government efficiency standards.
- Over that same period, wind power production grew 33 fold, providing more than 4% of total US power generation in 2014.
- By mid-2015, solar power had exceeded 20,000 megawatts nationwide, with one-third of the total coming into service in just the past 12 months.
- Roughly 10% of the nation's energy supply came from renewable sources last year.
- America's power plants burned less coal in 2014 than in 1990, and the annual total is down more than 21% from the peak year of 2005. Since then, total emissions of carbon pollution from the energy sector are down 10%.
- In the transportation sector, U.S. oil use was slightly lower in 2014 than 1973, even though the economy tripled in size during that time. The fuel efficiency of America's auto fleet has grown by 25% in the past decade.
Related Stories
Green | Mar 9, 2020
BuroHappold commits to all new building projects achieving net-zero carbon by 2030
The engineering firm also launched a long-term partnership with ILFI.
Sponsored | HVAC | Feb 3, 2020
Reliable Building Systems Increase Net Operating Income by Retaining Tenants
Tenants increasingly expect a well-crafted property that feels unique, authentic, and comfortable—with technologically advanced systems and spaces that optimize performance and encourage collaboration and engagement. The following guidance will help owners and property managers keep tenants happy.
Building Technology | Jan 7, 2020
Tariff whiplash for bifacial solar modules
Bifacial solar systems offer many advantages over traditional systems.
Sponsored | HVAC | Jan 6, 2020
Maximize Energy Efficiency in Class A Office Buildings With Modern Building Systems
Energy-efficient building design starts with the building envelope, but the building systems have a tremendous impact on energy use as well.
75 Top Building Products | Dec 16, 2019
Top Building Systems Products for 2019
FabricAir’s ceiling-hung fabric duct and Ellumi Lighting’s bacteria-killing lights are among the 13 new building systems products to make Building Design+Construction's 2019 101 Top Products report.
75 Top Building Products | Dec 12, 2019
Top Building Envelope Products for 2019
Sto's beetle-inspired exterior coating and Dörken Systems' UV-resistant vapor-permeable barrier are among the 28 new building envelope products to make Building Design+Construction's 2019 101 Top Products report.
Energy Efficiency | Aug 8, 2019
Florida’s first net-zero K-12 school opens
The building is distinguished by its rooftop solar array and its air-tight envelope.
Energy Efficiency | Dec 5, 2018
Harvard debuts HouseZero as a possible response to making existing buildings more efficient
Hundreds of embedded sensors will inform energy use reduction research.
Sustainability | Sep 10, 2018
At Penn State, sustainability is more than a goal
The university, encompassing 13 colleges and 24 campuses, adheres to protocols established by the UN.
Energy | Aug 6, 2018
Will California lead the way to energy independence?
The architecture, engineering, and construction industry will have to make major adjustments in the years ahead now that many state, city and local governments are getting serious about creating a carbon neutral buildings sector.
