Western U.S. Renewable Electric Energy is 42% of Total
West leads in conversion to renewable electric power.
Hydro-Wind-Solar combo rivals Natural Gas turbines in 2017 Annual Totals
The western United States has the cleanest electric grid, according to electric power generation data published by the U.S. Electric Energy Administration earlier this year. Hydroelectric, windpower and solar photovoltaic (PV) now generate about 42 of every 100 KiloWatthours in the U.S Western region.
Hydropower supplied about 26% of the Western U.S. electricity supply in 2017. Non-hydro-renewables -- variable wind and solar -- combined added about 16%. Hydropower generation in the West was greater than normal in 2017 due to wet conditions, according to EIA.
EIA expects variable non-hydro renewable electric power generation (wind and solar PV) for the entire U.S. to reach 10% of total power production in 2019.
Natural gas-fired power generation in some parts of the U.S. will increase this year, while coal-fired electric power declines again:
"Power plant operators are scheduled to bring 20 gigawatts (GW) of new natural-gas fired generating capacity online in 2018, which, if realized, would be the largest increase in natural gas capacity since 2004. Almost 6 GW of the capacity additions are being built in Pennsylvania, and more than 2 GW are being built in Texas. In contrast, about 13 GW of coal-fired capacity are scheduled to be retired in 2018. These changes in the generating capacity mix contribute to the continuing switch from coal to natural gas, especially in southern and midwestern states." - EIA January 22, 2018.
Texas is included in EIA's the Southern group. An EIA "State Profile" January 18, 2018 summary describes Texas windpower:
Texas leads the nation in wind-powered generation capacity with more than 21,450 megawatts; since 2014, Texas wind turbines have produced more electricity than both of the state's two nuclear power plants.
More Info: U.S. EIA - January 22, 2018