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by triceratops 37 days ago
> The US with its high natgas generation is much cleaner than a majority coal driven generation scheme.

The difference is the US's hostility to renewable energy versus China's embrace of it. China's path takes them to zero coal eventually - the US's does not.
1 comments
Karrot_Kream 37 days ago
That's assuming the governments, policies, and economic conditions of China, US, and the world in May 2026 stay static.
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triceratops 37 days ago
I can't see China changing course. They're all in on renewables for energy independence. It's already the cheapest source of energy. They're exporting panels and batteries everywhere too.

I hope the US does change policies.

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Karrot_Kream 36 days ago
China can continue to rely on coal for energy independence also. We're seeing this as countries that depended on LNG started firing coal plants again with the Hormuz crisis in effect. As a strong believer in climate change, it's admirable that China is innovating in renewables, but it's not a prerequisite for energy independence. They're already facing anemic job growth and overbuilt infrastructure capacity. If the government wants to redirect investment and spending elsewhere, they can switch back to coal plants rather than necessarily turning on renewables.

Manufacturing and shipping EVs I agree is going nowhere because they continue to be the leader and an increasing number of developing and underdeveloped countries are finding it easier to light up electrical sources than import oil.

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triceratops 36 days ago
> China can continue to rely on coal for energy independence also.

At the cost of air quality. People are getting used to cleaner air. It's hard to go back.

Also the more solar they use, the more coal they can keep around for emergencies. The sun is free energy.

In 2025 China recorded a decline in generation from coal for the first time ever. [1]

1. https://ember-energy.org/countries-and-regions/china/#data

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Karrot_Kream 36 days ago
> At the cost of air quality. People are getting used to cleaner air. It's hard to go back.

If that's the case, then why is the US going back on its renewables commitment?

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triceratops 36 days ago
Fossil fuel lobby.

If China could always be energy independent with coal, why did they even build out solar and EV capability?

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