The war in Iran and the spike in oil and gas prices are again highlighting the world's dependence on fossil fuels and the role that renewable energy sources could play in meeting future needs.

At the same time, demand on the U.S. electric grid continues to grow.

But the Trump administration has moved to rollback subsidies and incentives for some renewables, including solar.

A new industry report finds solar installations fell 14% over the past year.

Our science correspondent, Miles O'Brien, reports on the effort to build more capacity for the nation's power needs.

It's part of our periodic series tipping point.

40 miles south of San Antonio, Texas, near the small part of our periodic series Tipping Point.

40 miles south of San Antonio, Texas, near the small town of Christine,

the San Miguel Electric Cooperative plant

built more than 40 years ago,

burns lignite coal, the lowest grade,

most carbon-intensive fossil fuel.

The lignite is strip mine from the land surrounding the plant, feeding a relentless loop

of extraction, combustion, and air, water, and climate pollution.

Craig Carter was the general manager and CEO.

It's harder to burn.

It takes a lot more furnace. It takes a lot more furnace.

It takes a lot more prep.

It is hard to make electricity from lignite.

Corder invited me over for his famous brisket.

He's good at fanning all kinds of flames to suit his desires.

While we savored his delicious output, he told me about his ambitious plan

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