For the first time in history, renewable energy is projected to exceed energy generated by coal 325,000 megawatt hours per day in April, and by 32,000 megawatt hours per day in May. According to the new report by the Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis (IEEFA), the Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimated that the renewable energy outlook would “top coal’s expected output of 1,997 and 2,239 thousand MWh/day during the same two months.”

While the report cited that seasonal variations are to be considered, this remains to be a milestone for renewable energy generation in the country, where coal has been the primary energy source. It signals the shift from fossil fuels, which first happened in 2015 when natural gas exceeded coal’s output and former’s share had climbed to 35% while coal’s had dropped to 27% by 2018.

The IEEFA report also mentioned Texas’s energy sector, where “natural gas, wind and, increasingly, solar, are steadily pushing coal out of the system,” which further closes the gap between coal and renewable energy sources.

Wind and solar energy costs have been continuously declining and it’s economically good. A recent report released by nonpartisan organization Energy Innovation noted that “America has officially entered the ‘coal cost crossover’ – where existing coal is increasingly more expensive than cleaner alternatives.” Furthermore, about 70% of the U.S. coal fleet can be replaced by local wind and solar sources today, which will create “immediate savings” to the people. The number is expected to grow to 86% by 2025.

More and more U.S. cities have pledged their commitments to 100% clean energy, with its numerous economic, environmental, and public health benefits to Americans. As the report concludes, “Coal’s proponents may dismiss these monthly and quarterly ups and downs in generation share as unimportant, but we believe they are indicative of the fundamental disruption happening across the electric generation sector. As natural gas achieved earlier, renewable generation is catching up to coal, and faster than forecast.”