Optimistic Observer 07/09/26
By Capital Investment Counsel - July 9, 2026
Optimistic Observer
94% of New US Capacity Will Be Clean
About 94% of new US electrical capacity in 2026 will come from solar, wind and storage systems. This structural shift reflects economic competitiveness rather than policy mandates alone. Clean energy now outcompetes fossil fuels on cost across nearly all US markets. Read more here.
US Coal Generation Collapses to 14%
United States coal collapsed from 50% of electricity in 2005 to just 14% today. Nearly 400 coal plants have retired or scheduled for closure nationwide. Operating coal now costs more than building new wind and solar everywhere. Read more here.
China and India Cut Coal Simultaneously
Coal-fired generation fell simultaneously in India and China for the first time since 1973. India cut coal power by 3% and China by 1.6% recently. Record solar, wind and storage deployment outpaced rising demand growth. Read more here.
China Dominates Global Clean Energy Chains
China deploys clean electricity at planetary scale as the world’s dominant electrostate leader. It makes more money from green technology exports than the US makes from fossil fuels. China holds three times more clean-tech patents than the rest of world combined. Read more here.
Hospital Anaesthetic Cuts Climate Pollution
Medical institutions phase out desflurane, an anaesthetic with 2,530 times the warming impact of CO2. The shift to alternatives has cut anaesthetic-related emissions by nearly 30%. No loss of clinical quality occurred, with significant cost savings realized. Read more here.
India Renewable Growth Outpaces China Development
India transitions to renewables faster than China did at comparable income levels historically. Cheap solar, wind and battery technology allow bypassing fossil-heavy development altogether. Renewables now undercut coal economically, opening clean growth paths. Read more here.
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