Although we still mostly depend on fossil fuels, many states have become committed to using renewable resources for energy.
Here are the 10 states that use the most renewable energy:
(1.) Oregon: 49%
About 80% of that renewable energy comes from hydropower. Oregon claims they will use 100% clean energy by 2050.
(2.) Washington: 47%
Washington uses more hydropower than any other state, creating almost 90% of its clean energy. They also rely on biofuels and thermal energy.
(3.) Maine: 38%
Their renewable energy derives from hydroelectric dams and biomass from wood.
(4.) South Dakota: 35%
Some electricity is generated through wind, though they rely heavily on hydroelectric power.
(5.) Montana: 34%
Using over 20 hydroelectric dams, Montana is among the top states in hydroelectric power usage.
(6.) Idaho: 30%
Idaho’s primary renewable energy resource is hydropower.
(7.) Iowa: 26%
Similar to Idaho and Washington, the majority of Iowa’s renewable energy comes from hydropower.
(8.) Vermont: 25%
Vermont was the first state to offer renewable energy facilities a price for power for up to 25 years.
(9.) New Hampshire: 20%
They use wood from their forest energy at biomass facilities.
(10.) North Dakota: 17%
They obtain part of their electricity from wind and 5-7% is generated by a hydroelectric plant.
Although we wish we didn’t have to, Hawaii still relies heavily on fossil fuels; over 80% of all energy used comes from imported oil and some coal. Because we have no access to fuel sources such as large rivers for hydropower, or even indigenous oil, natural gas or coal, Hawaii imports most of its oil. About a third of the imported oil is used for electricity, another third for jet fuel, and the final third for ground transportation.
Going solar is just one way that Hawaiian residents are combating this statistic.