Power Biz 101

Electric Companies Help Control Rising Prices.
Over the past decade, the electric power industry has focused on improving the efficiency of its baseload generating fleet plants in order to save money and reduce the need for new investments. Since 1995, utilization of coal and nuclear generation has increased by 15 and 17 percent, respectively. Over the same period of time, non-fuel operations and maintenance costs have decreased by 17 percent for existing coal-based generators and 30 percent for nuclear generating units.

To help their customers manage their electricity costs and use energy wisely, electric companies have taken a leading role in developing energy efficiency and demand response programs for residential, commercial, and industrial customers. Between 1989 and 2005, electric utility demandside management programs saved about 797 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. That is enough electricity to power nearly 74 million average U.S. homes for one year. Efforts like these have been, and will continue to be, key factors in helping to mitigate rising fuel costs and the need for new infrastructure investments. For more information about the electric industry’s efficiency efforts, visit EEI’s Wise Energy Use Web site, www.eei.org/wiseuse.