The ‘100 Percent Renewable Energy’ Claim

A wind turbine at a wind farm in Taft, Texas. Renewable energy sources contribute to electricity production in the United States, but unless you live next to the wind or solar farm, the actual power you use is likely to have been generated by coal, gas, or nuclear power plants. Spencer Platt/Getty Images

Commentary

If a unit of government or an organization wants to establish their “green” bona fides these days, claiming to use 100 percent renewable energy is a great way to do it. While such claims might have some relevance in terms of economics, I’m not aware of any case where that assertion is technically true.