Where Does Your Power Come From?

From the plains of the Midwest to the sun-drenched deserts of the Southwest, geography plays a defining role in how energy is generated across the U.S. That’s because different regions come with different natural resources, which shape the mix of energy sources that power our lives. Some regions rely on fossil fuels, such as natural gas or coal, while others lead the way in renewable energy sources, including wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. 

Understanding your local energy mix can help you make informed choices about your own electricity sources and support cleaner, more sustainable options.

The Major Types of Energy Sources

Electricity in the U.S. comes from a variety of power plants and stations, each with its own advantages and drawbacks in cost, efficiency, and environmental impact.

Fossil Fuels

Fossil fuels, mainly coal, natural gas, and oil, still generate more than half of U.S. electricity. Natural gas, in particular, has surged in recent decades, replacing coal in many states due to its lower emissions and lower market price.

Pros: 

• Reliable source of electricity with consistent, around-the-clock generation
• Well-established infrastructure for production, distribution, and storage
• Proven technology with decades of operational history
• Often has lower short-term operating costs compared to some alternatives

Cons: 

• Produce significant greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to climate change and air pollution
• Non-renewable resources with finite availability
• Prone to price swings and supply disruptions tied to global markets
• Increasingly subject to regulation as states and utilities pursue clean energy goals

Renewables

Renewable energy sources, such as wind, geothermal, solar, hydropower, and biomass, are replenished naturally, making them sustainable long-term options.

Pros:

• Generate little to no emissions during operation
• Reduce long-term dependence on fossil fuels and their associated environmental impacts
• Often have lower energy costs over time, aided by federal and state incentives
• Once built, the fuel source — sunlight, wind, or water — is free and inexhaustible

Cons:

• Electricity generation can fluctuate based on weather or seasonal conditions like sunshine, wind speed, or water availability
• Requires continued investment in storage technologies (such as batteries) to manage variability and maintain grid reliability
• Upgrades to transmission infrastructure are needed to connect renewable generation to where it’s most needed

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear power plants generate electricity by splitting uranium atoms, producing heat to create steam that drives turbines. Nuclear accounts for nearly 20% of U.S. electricity.

Pros:

• Produces a large, steady supply of electricity with no direct carbon dioxide emissions
• Operates with a high capacity factor, providing reliable baseload power
• Complements variable renewable sources like wind and solar by delivering consistent output

Cons:

• High upfront construction and financing costs
• Long permitting and development timelines can delay deployment
• Managing radioactive waste remains an unresolved environmental and policy issue
• Public safety concerns and regulatory hurdles continue to limit expansion in certain regions

Understanding Regional Differences in Energy Sources

Sunny states like Arizona and Nevada generate significant amounts of solar power, while windy plains states such as Iowa and Kansas are national leaders in wind. Hydropower dominates in mountainous, river-rich regions like Washington, Oregon, and Idaho.

Meanwhile, states with extensive fossil fuel infrastructure — such as Texas, which relies heavily on natural gas, and Wyoming, which is heavily reliant on coal — continue to rely on those resources, although many are gradually diversifying. These regional differences highlight why policies and incentives at the state level play such a major role in shaping the future of clean energy use.

Energy Sources in The USA: A State-by-State Breakdown

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) offers detailed data on electricity generation in every state:

(Regional shading: light blue = Northeast, light green = Midwest, light yellow = South, light orange = West)

Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) State Energy Profiles and Electricity Data Browser, accessed August 2025; Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI); and state-level renewable energy data from EPA and state energy offices.

For more details about your own state, the EIA’s state profiles and the EPA’s Power Profiler tool provide real-time or recent insights into your local power generation.

The Rise of Renewable Energy

Many states are setting ambitious clean energy goals, with several committing to 100% renewable electricity in the coming decades.

Leaders in Wind Energy:

• Iowa
• Kansas
• Oklahoma

  Leaders in Solar Power:

• California
• Arizona
• North Carolina

Hydropower Hubs:

• Washington
• Oregon
• New York
  

This growth is fueled not only by natural resources but also by policies like renewable portfolio standards (RPS), clean energy standards (CES), and net-metering laws. Tax credits, rebates for solar panels, and small-scale energy programs are making it easier for homeowners and businesses to adopt clean energy solutions. 

For homeowners interested in solar, time is of the essence. Under current law, the 30% federal tax credit for residential solar, formally called the Residential Clean Energy Credit, will expire at the end of 2025. To qualify, systems must be installed and operational by December 31, 2025. This credit applies only to systems that are purchased outright, either with cash or a loan. Homeowners using third-party ownership models, like leases or power purchase agreements (PPAs), are not eligible to claim the credit directly.

However, large-scale renewable energy projects and third-party-owned residential systems can still benefit from separate federal incentives, such as the Section 48E credit, which remains in effect through at least 2027. These credits help reduce the cost of developing wind and solar projects, making renewables increasingly competitive with fossil fuels on a per-kilowatt-hour basis.

States With 100% Clean-Energy Goals

Currently, 24 states plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico have gone beyond incremental targets, committing to 100% clean or renewable electricity within the next few decades. Some of the big ones include:

• New York: 100% zero-emission electricity by 2040
• Minnesota: 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040
• Illinois: 100% clean energy by 2050
• Massachusetts: Net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, with 100% clean energy targets under its roadmap
• California: 100% clean energy by 2045
• Hawai‘i: 100% renewable electricity by 2045 (the first state to set such a goal)
• Oregon: 100% clean electricity by 2040
• Virginia: 100% clean energy by 2045 (Dominion Energy) / 2050 (Appalachian Power)

These policies are often paired with incentive programs, funding for grid modernization, and requirements to include low- and middle-income households in renewable energy programs. Together, they create momentum that drives investment in technologies like community solar and battery storage.

These ambitious state-level goals align with Clearway Community Solar’s mission to make renewable energy accessible to households and businesses. By subscribing to a local solar farm, customers in states like New York, Minnesota, Illinois, and Massachusetts can directly contribute to meeting these targets while saving on their electricity bills.

Why It Matters: The Environmental Impact of Your Energy Source

When power plants burn fossil fuels, they emit greenhouse gases that contribute to climate change and air pollution. Increasing the share of renewable energy in the power grid can reduce emissions, improve air quality, and protect ecosystems. Every shift toward clean energy, whether at the utility-scale or through small-scale projects, helps lower our environmental footprint.

The type of energy we use also affects public health and community well-being. Fossil fuel power systems release fine particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, and sulfur dioxide, which are linked to asthma, cardiovascular disease, and premature death. These impacts often fall disproportionately on communities living closest to power plants and industrial corridors. 

Transitioning to cleaner energy sources not only reduces greenhouse gas emissions but also delivers direct health and equity benefits, lowering healthcare costs and creating healthier living environments for millions of Americans.

How Consumers Can Choose Cleaner Energy

Small-scale programs, such as rooftop solar rebates, efficiency incentives, and federal tax credits for clean energy adoption, make it easier for homeowners and businesses to participate in the transition. Checking your state’s energy office or utility website, or DSIRE (the Database of State Incentives for Renewables & Efficiency), is the best way to see which programs, rebates, and incentives might be available where you live.

Even if you can’t install solar panels on your roof, you can still support renewable energy. One option is community solar, where you subscribe to a shared solar farm and receive credits on your electricity bill for your share of the power it produces. This allows you to directly back solar energy without the cost or maintenance of owning panels. 

Not sure about all the terms? Our solar glossary can help you get familiar with the language of clean energy.

Getting Started With Clearway Community Solar

Clearway Community Solar makes it simple to join the clean energy movement. By subscribing to a local solar farm, you help add renewable electricity to the power grid and receive bill credits based on your share of the amount of electricity generated.

Ready to power your home with clean, community-based energy? Signing up is simple! No rooftop panels, no upfront costs, and no hidden fees. Subscribe to a local solar farm, start receiving bill credits based on how much clean electricity you use, and help bring more renewable power to your electric grid. 

Visit Clearway Community Solar today to request a free quote and start saving with confidence.

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