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Denmark plans to get rid of fossil fuels by 2050, including transportation

It may be difficult for energy companies to survive using renewable energy.

By Thor Benson
Three of six wind turbines of the Somerset Wind Farm are shown on a mountain ridge on June 19, 2012 near Somerset, Pennsylvania. The wind farm has been operational since 2001 and the six GE 1.5 MW turbines produce enough electricity for 3,400 homes. Plans to develop a 30-turbine Shaffer Mountain Wind Farm nearby were scrapped on June 12, 2012 due to environmental and resident concerns. Wind power has expanded in the United States over the past decade and is now about 3 per cent of all electric power in the country. UPI/Pat Benic
Three of six wind turbines of the Somerset Wind Farm are shown on a mountain ridge on June 19, 2012 near Somerset, Pennsylvania. The wind farm has been operational since 2001 and the six GE 1.5 MW turbines produce enough electricity for 3,400 homes. Plans to develop a 30-turbine Shaffer Mountain Wind Farm nearby were scrapped on June 12, 2012 due to environmental and resident concerns. Wind power has expanded in the United States over the past decade and is now about 3 per cent of all electric power in the country. UPI/Pat Benic | License Photo

COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- Denmark's government plans to have the country completely off of fossil fuels by 2050, including cars.

The most recent IPCC report urged countries around the world to get rid of fossil fuels by 2100, and it appears Denmark is ready to beat that goal by half a century.

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The small country is already using 40 percent renewable energy on the electric grid, and they have set a goal of making that 50 percent by 2020, the New York Times reports.

The only problem is that energy production from wind and solar plants cost very little to run, so the more they appear, the less energy will cost. This means energy companies will struggle to make any profit, but they need the energy companies there to divert stored electricity when the wind or sun are not generating power. Some have proposed charging low prices when energy is plentiful and high prices when energy is not being produced by wind or solar.

The country has also struggled with their national electric car program, but they hope to continue it once electric cars become less expensive.

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