Section 7. Electricity - November 1998

Monthly Energy Review, Feb, 1999

Electric Power Industry. Electricity is produced by electric utilities and nonutility power producers. Electric utilities are the traditional, highly regulated part of the industry, and nonutility power producers are the unregulated, competitive part of the industry. In general, the electric power industry is moving away from regulated entities, and the nonutility power producers are expanding rapidly.

The Energy Information Administration maintains comprehensive data about electric utilities, which still account for most electric power in the country. Less information is available about nonutility power production, but some data are beginning to become available that provide perspective on the overall industry.

While little monthly data are available on the activities of nonutility power producers, some annual data can be provided. Monthly Energy Review Tables 7.1, 7.5, and 7.6 now provide annual data about nonutility power net generation and fossil fuel consumption.

In 1997, the total electric power industry net generation was 3.5 trillion kilowatthours of electricity. Of that sum, 3.1 trillion kilowatthours, or 88 percent, was produced by electric utilities and 0.4 trillion kilowatthours, or 12 percent, from nonutility power producers. While electric utilities relied most heavily on coal for producing power, nonutilities derived most of their power from natural gas.

Electric Utility Net Generation. During November 1998, electric utilities generated 239 billion kilowatthours of electricity, 2 percent lower than in November 1997. Coal-fired generation totaled 138 billion kilowatthours, 5 percent lower than the November 1997 level. Nuclear generation totaled 57 billion kilowatthours, 12 percent higher than the level 1 year earlier. Hydroelectric generation totaled 19 billion kilowatthours, 16 percent less than the November 1997 level. Natural gas-fired generation was 17 billion kilowatthours, 1 percent higher than the November 1997 level. Petroleum-fired generation totaled 7 billion kilowatthours, 11 percent above the level 1 year earlier.

Electric Utility Sales. Electric utility sales of electricity to all ultimate consumers in the United States in November 1998 were 247 billion kilowatthours, 1 percent higher than sales during November 1997. Sales to industrial consumers totaled 87 billion kilowatthours in November 1998, 2 percent higher than the level of sales 1 year earlier. Residential sales totaled 78 billion kilowatthours, 3 percent above the level of sales during the previous year. Commercial sales totaled 74 billion kilowatthours, 2 percent above the level 1 year earlier. In November 1998, other sales totaled 9 billion kilowatthours, 1 percent higher than the November 1997 level.

Electric Utility Consumption of Fossil Fuels. Electric utility consumption of coal during November 1998 was 70 million short tons, 5 percent lower than consumption in November 1997. Petroleum consumption (excluding petroleum coke) during November 1998 was 12 million barrels, 9 percent above the level of consumption in November 1997. During November 1998, electric utilities consumed 178 billion cubic feet of natural gas, 1 percent lower than the November 1997 consumption level.

Electric Utility Stocks of Coal and Petroleum. On November 30, 1998, electric utility stocks of all types of coal totaled 117 million short tons, 17 percent higher than the level on November 30, 1997. Stocks of petroleum (excluding petroleum coke) on November 30, 1998, totaled 53 million barrels, 12 percent above the level on November 30, 1997.

Sources for Table 7.1

Electric Utilities

1973-September 1977--Federal Power Commission Form FPC-4, "Monthly Power Plant Report."

October 1977-1979--Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Form FPC-4, "Monthly Power Plant Report."

1980--Energy Information Administration (EIA), Electric Power Monthly, March 1991, Table 4, and (for geothermal energy and other) FERC, Form FPC-4, "Monthly Power Plant Report."

1981--EIA, Electric Power Monthly, March 1992, Table 4, and (for geothermal energy and other) FERC, Form FPC-4, "Monthly Power Plant Report."

1982--EIA, Electric Power Monthly, March 1993, Table 4, and (for geothermal energy and other) EIA, Form EIA-759, "Monthly Power Plant Report."

1983-1989--EIA, Electric Power Monthly, March 1994, Table 4, and (for geothermal energy and other) EIA, Form EIA-759, "Monthly Power Plant Report."

1990 forward--EIA, Electric Power Monthly, February 1999, Tables 4 and 5.

Nonutility Power Producers

EIA, estimated from Form EIA-867, "Annual Nonutility Power Producer Report."

Total Electric Power Industry

Sum of Electric Utilities and Nonutility Power Producers.

Sources for Table 7.2

1973-September 1977--Federal Power Commission (FPC), Form FPC-5, "Monthly Statement of Electric Operating Revenue and Income."

October 1977-February 1980---Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC), Form FPC-5, "Monthly Statement of Electric Operating Revenue and Income."

March 1980-1982--FERC, Form FPC-5, "Electric Utility Company Monthly Statement."