Section 7. Electricity

Monthly Energy Review, Dec, 2000

Overview. Electricity is produced by electric utilities, which are the traditional, regulated part of the industry, and nonutility power producers, which are expanding rapidly as the industry moves away from regulated entities.

In 1999, U.S. electricity net generation totaled 3.7 trillion kilowatthours. Electric utilities generated 3.2 trillion kilowatthours (86 percent of the total) and nonutility power producers generated 0.5 trillion kilowatthours (14 percent). The Nation imported 43 billion kilowatthours of electricity and exported 14 billion kilowatthours.

Net Generation. In September 2000, net generation of electricity totaled 322 billion kilowatthours, 4 percent more than in September 1999. At utilities, net generation was 245 billion kilowatthours, down 6 percent, while at nonutility power plants, net generation was 77 billion kilowatthours, up 60 percent, compared to 1 year earlier.

At utilities in September 2000, fossil fuels (primarily coal) accounted for 71 percent of net generation, nuclear 22 percent, and renewable resources 7 percent. At nonutility power plants, fossil fuels (primarily natural gas) accounted for 78 percent of net generation, renewable resources 11 percent, and other resources 11 percent.

Electric Utility Retail Sales. In September 2000, utilities sold a total of 307 billion kilowatthours of electricity to end users, 7 percent more than in September 1999. In September 2000, residential consumers purchased 109 billion kilowatthours (35 percent of the month's total), commercial users 94 billion kilowatthours (31 percent), industrial consumers also 94 billion kilowatthours of electricity (31 percent), and other users l0 billion kilowatthours (3 percent).

Consumption of Fossil Fuels. In September 2000, 85 million short tons of coal were consumed to generate electricity, 3 percent more than in September 1999. Of the total, 71 million short tons (7 percent less than a year earlier) were consumed at electric utilities and 14 million short tons (111 percent more than a year earlier) were consumed by nonutility power producers.

In September 2000, 619 billion cubic feet of natural gas was consumed to generate electricity, 16 percent more than in September 1999. Of the total, 283 billion cubic feet (slightly less than a year earlier) was consumed by electric utilities and 337 billion cubic feet (35 percent more than a year earlier) was consumed by nonutility power plants.

Stocks of Coal and Petroleum. At the end of September 2000, 117 million short tons of coal were held in storage for electricity generation, 14 percent less than in September 1999. Of the total, 101 million short tons (22 percent less than a year earlier) were held at electric utilities and 15 million short tons (129 percent more than a year earlier) were held by nonutility power plants.

At the end of September 2000, 43 million barrels of petroleum liquids (i.e., heavy and light oil) were held in storage for electricity generation, 15 percent less than in September 1999. Of total liquids, 31 million barrels were held at electric utilities and 11 million barrels were held by nonutility power plants.

[Figures 7.1-7.5 ILLUSTRATION OMITTED]

Sources for Table 7.1, Imports and Exports of Electricity

1973-September 1977: Unpublished Federal Power Commission data.

October 1977-1980: Unpublished Economic Regulatory Administration (ERA) data.

1981: DOE, Office of Energy Emergency Operations, "Report on Electric Energy Exchanges with Canada and Mexico for Calendar Year 1981," April 1982 (revised June 1982).

1982 and 1983: DOE, ERA, Electricity Exchanges Across International Borders.

1984-1986: DOE, ERA, Electricity Transactions Across International Borders.

1987 and 1988: DOE, ERA, Form ERA-781R, "Annual Report of International Electrical Export/Import Data."

1989: DOE, Fossil Energy, Form FE-781R, "Annual Report of International Electrical Export/Import Data."

1990-1998: Mexico's data: DOE, Fossil Energy, Office of Fuels Programs, Form FE-781R, "Annual Report of International Electrical Export/Import Data." Canada's data (metered energy, firm and interruptible): the National Energy Board of Canada.

1999 forward: EIA estimates based on preliminary data from DOE, Fossil Energy, and actual data from the National Energy Board of Canada.

Sources for Table 7.3

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 small components) EIA, Form EIA-759, "Monthly Power Plant Report."