Technology

In case you're ever wondering, this is an example of your tax dollars at work. Thirty years ago solar and wind generation had to be heavily subsidized with government grants to make them viable in the energy market. Now the technology of both has advanced to the point that it's undercutting all of the other forms of electricity generation, without subsidization.

Government subsidies work. They're effective for getting new technologies off the ground.

It is now. But only after we invested in it.

This is a great example of investing in tech even when it’s not practical in the present day. It can pay off later down the line.

The infuriating thing to me is, renewable energy is often extremely independent. It means no reliance on foreign oil. That SHOULD be the most American thing, especially for those in the GOP who claim to be anti-government.

Goes to remind you their main product is hypocrisy.

No, the grid won't get greener if Trump is elected because he WILL go full dictator. And he will revert everything that is being done currently.

I didn't mind the pie chart, the slices are labeled clearly, no need to use coloring like you have to read a legend.

Why? Nuclear power is the most complex and expensive option of any clean energy source from what I know.

'Natural' gas is just gas. It's not a clean emission free fuel. It's better than coal but by no means a clean fuel.

Also needs less coal.

And after that less natural gas, but getting rid of coal should be the higher priority as it is the greater polluting fuel.

There's a lot if you look for it, recent developments in tidal are incredibly positive and we're absolutely going to see a rapid uptake in marine electrification as existing technology progresses through the market. Most people never really think about the resources used and pollution caused by small boats but one of the big destructive forces at play is the infrastructure requirements - small boats need big boats to supply their fuel stations.

Transitioning away from this system and instead using costal tidal generators to charge electric ferries and barges could be a total game changer in many areas, especially many of the highly trafficked and polluted tidal basins like in north Brazil, Nigeria, or island clusters like in the Philippines. Also the intercoastal waterways around the US and other leisure spots.

We're making great progress in many areas and I really think it's important to acknowledge this and cheer it on least we get so caught in a false sense of doom that we just give up.

You also have to admit that the US covers for most of the worlds military. Most of nato and many Asian allies have very low defense spending, because the US will cover them. Most of the time when there is a global crisis or localized crisis the US is involved in one way or another.