Section 7. Electricity - Statistical Data Included

Monthly Energy Review, June, 2001

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 2000, U.S. electricity net generation totaled 3.8 trillion kilowatthours. Electric utilities generated 3.0 trillion kilowatthours (79 percent of the total) and nonutility power producers generated 0.8 trillion kilowatthours (21 percent). The Nation imported 50 billion kilowatthours of electricity and exported 15 billion kilowatthours.

Net Generation. In March 2001, total net generation of electricity was forecast as 313 billion kilowatthours, 6 percent more than in March 2000. At utilities, net generation was forecast as 245 billion kilowatthours, up 1 percent, while at nonutility power plants, net generation was forecast as 69 billion kilowatthours, up 29 percent, compared to 1 year earlier.

At utilities in March 2001, fossil fuels (primarily coal) were forecast to account for 68 percent of net generation, nuclear 23 percent, and renewable resources 9 percent. At nonutility power plants, fossil fuels were forecast to account for 77 percent of net generation, nuclear 10 percent; and renewable resources 13 percent.

Electric Utility Retail Sales. March 2001 total utility sales of electricity to end-users were forecast at 274 billion kilowatthours, 6 percent more than in March 2000. March 2001 electricity sales to residential consumers were forecast at 97 billion kilowatthours (35 percent of the month's total), commercial users 83 billion kilowatthours (30 percent), industrial consumers 87 billion kilowatthours of electricity (32 percent), and other users 9 billion kilowatthours (3 percent).

Consumption of Fossil Fuels. In March 2001, 84 million short tons of coal were forecast as consumed to generate electricity, 9 percent more than in March 2000. Of the total, 70 million short tons (3 percent more than a year earlier) were forecast as consumed at electric utilities and 14 million short tons (56 percent more than a year earlier) were forecast as consumed by nonutility power producers.

In March 2001, 445 billion cubic feet of natural gas were forecast as consumed to generate electricity, slightly more than in March 2000. Of the total, 187 billion cubic feet (10 percent less than a year earlier) was forecast as consumed by electric utilities and 258 billion cubic feet (9 percent more than a year earlier) was forecast as consumed by nonutility power plants.

Stocks of Coal and Petroleum. At the end of March 2001, 97 million short tons of coal were forecast as held in storage for electricity generation, 32 percent less than in March 2000. Of the total, 85 million short tons (33 percent less than a year earlier) were held at electric utilities and 12 million short tons (23 percent less than a year earlier) were held by nonutility power plants.

At the end of March 2001, 44 million barrels of petroleum liquids (i.e., heavy and light oil) were forecast as held in storage for electric utilities, 25 percent more than in March 2000.

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-781 R, "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), F`orm 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."