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Floods, wildfires and unforeseen outbreaks of disease such as the COVID-19 pandemic are putting new and increasing stresses on U.S. cities. Investing in clean energy can help make them more resilient to these shocks.

Over the last decade, the clean energy industry has changed tremendously: Costs have fallen dramatically, technologies have become more efficient and solutions for integrating renewables into electric grids have advanced.

American cities, states and businesses have already come a long way on the road to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. Here are four clean energy trends to watch in the coming year in cities in the U.S.

Fifteen states now have official targets to get at least 50% of their electricity from clean sources. These states represent 28% of U.S. electric power demand, up from just 17% last year.

Behind the U.S. power grid, electricity markets are just as important as physical power plants and transmission lines. To expand the country's clean energy, the rules of the market will need to change.

Pennsylvania's planned entry into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative marks the first time a major fossil-fuel producing state has joined the cooperative, which aims to cap carbon dioxide emissions from electric power plants. It won't solve all the Keystone State's energy challenges, but it's a big step forward.

U.S. solar power is poised to grow 12% this year, but so far Virginia hasn't been a big part of the boom. That could change as Virginia's cities and counties band together to find ways to implement renewable power and meet their clean energy goals.

The United States used more energy in 2018 than ever before. While clean energy powered some of it, 80% came from fossil fuels.

Decisions from utility commissions across the country suggest natural gas' time as a "bridge fuel" may be short—renewables are already often preferred and cheaper.

More and more companies and cities are setting 100% renewable energy goals. But how and when these customers use the electricity they buy also matters. Here are five other things large energy buyers can do to help green the U.S. electric grid.