Reuters reports that US utilities have relied on fossil fuels to generate an average of 62.4% of total electricity production for the past four months, citing data from energy think tank Ember. That fossil fuel share now exceeds the 60.5% over the same period in China, the world’s largest power producer and polluter.

The high US fossil dependence came during the summer when domestic power demand is highest due to air conditioner use, while China's relatively lower fossil reliance has occurred during a protracted economic slowdown.

Nonetheless, the higher US fossil reliance highlights how much more aggressive China has been in ramping up clean power output, which has left China closer to hitting a peak in fossil use for power than the United States.