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A comment on Solar and Wind to Top Coal Power in US for First Time in 2024. Parent comment

Re:Solar and Wind to Top Coal Power in US for First Time in ... by fbdab103 on Saturday December 16, 2023 @06:10PM (#38668660)
>...while energy consumption has been growing enormously over the last 10 years.

Unless I am grossly misreading this chart[0], it looks like US energy consumption has been flat since 2000 at ~100 quadrillion BTUs. Which would align with my expectations: more devices tout energy efficiency, switching to LEDs, and just how much entertainment is driven by portable electronics.

[0] https://www.eia.gov/energyexplained/us-energy-facts/

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Re:Solar and Wind to Top Coal Power in US for First Time in ... by defrost on Saturday December 16, 2023 @06:23PM (#38668767)
The linked US energy consumption chart has been relatively flat since 2000, yes.

It's possible the coment you replied to was referring to global energy consumption which has expanded with both global per capita consumption and with global population.

Another factor in stable US energy consumption has been the outsourcing | offshoring of primary heavy industry which keeps the energy consumption for mining, refining, and manufacturing off the US home accounts.

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Re:Solar and Wind to Top Coal Power in US for First Time in ... by magicalhippo on Sunday December 17, 2023 @12:00AM (#38670437)
Outsourcing production probably plays a significant role too...
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