Renewable energy makes progress in the US

New report highlights the growth of renewable power throughout the US

The U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission has released a new report concerning the growth of renewable power throughout the country in 2013. The U.S. has been moving to become more energy efficient and environmentally friendly in recent years and efforts to adopt clean power have gained momentum as the cost of fossil-fuels continues to rise. Last year saw a significant increase in the country's renewable energy capacity as new projects that had been under development for some time came online.

Clean power accounted for 37% of new energy capacity in 2013

According to the report from the federal agency, renewable energy accounted for 37% of energy capacity in the U.S. throughout 2013. Biomass, geothermal energy, hydropower, solar and wind accounted for 5,279 megawatts of collective capacity. Coal accounted for 1,543 megawatts of the country's capacity, with oil representing 38 megawatts of new capacity in 2013. Natural gas saw the most significant growth in terms of new energy capacity, accounting for 7,270 megawatts installed in 2013.

Solar power is in the lead as far as US clean energy adoption is concerned

Solar energy currently leads other forms of clean power in terms of capacity and support. Several states throughout the country have initiatives in place that are designed to promote the adoption of solar power. Several energy companies have also been working to make solar energy more accessible to consumers throughout the U.S. Wind energy has also received strong support and has found growth, but much of the support behind wind power is expected to dwindle now that the federal Production Tax Credit has expired.

All of the above energy plan helps boost support for clean power

The country's growing focus on renewable energy is part of an "all of the above" energy plan. This energy plan targets various forms of clean power for federal support, but it also allows the country to remain strongly focused on fossil-fuels. In the coming years, renewable power is expected to play a much larger role in the country's energy plans, especially as clean transportation and new emissions regulations begin to take hold throughout the country.