Where Does My Electricity Come From?
Posted on September 11th, 2009 - 10:30 AMOne of the marvels of the modern age is the availability of reliable electricity. You do not have to go back many generations to find individuals who grew up on farms or communities without electricity. Ask your parents, grandparents or great-grandparents if they remember life before the Rural Electrification Act of 1935 when only 10% of rural residents had electricity. Or maybe you have experienced being without power for a few hours after a thunderstorm or even for days and weeks following a hurricane.
On most days and nights, if you need electricity to read by or use your computer all you have to do is flip a switch or push a button. But do you know where your electricity comes from? What is the fuel source to your power company?
Of course, almost all power companies rely on a combination of fuel sources: coal, natural gas, nuclear, hydroelectric, other renewables, or petroleum. In that way, they can shield the consumers and stockholders from large shifts in the prices of commodities and construction for facilities. But a great deal of information on electricity production (residential and industrial) is available from the Department of Energy’s Energy Information Administration .
Twenty states (WV, IN, KY, WY, ND, UT, OH, MO, NM, KS, IO, NE, MI, CO, WI, GA, MN, MD, NC, and TN) generate more than 50% of their electricity from coal. In fact, more than 90% of the power in West Virginia, Indiana, Kentucky and Wyoming is from coal. Only 5 states (RI, NV, FL, MA, and AK) use natural gas for over 50% of their electrical generation. And of those states, only Alaska is a natural gas production state. The others must depend on natural gas transmission pipelines or liquefied natural gas import terminals.
Nuclear power is generated in the fewest number of states and only 5 states (VT, CT, NJ, SC, and IL) generate over 50% of their electricity from this source. Hydroelectric power generates electricity to some extent in a number of states. Over 50% of the power in WA, ID, OR, SD, and MT is from hydroelectric and it is over 85% in Washington, Idaho and Oregon.
Almost all states have some level of electricity generation from renewable fuels other than hydroelectric, including wind, solar, geothermal, and biomass. While the use of other renewables is not at 50% in any state yet, over 10% of the electricity in Maine, Iowa, Minnesota and California is generated from this fuel source category.
Petroleum-fired power plants produce the smallest amount of America’s electricity. And the only state with greater than 50% of generation in this manner is Hawaii, where over 82% of the electricity comes from petroleum-fired sources.
Depending on where you live and the manner in which electricity in your state is regulated, you may have a choice of electricity provider or fuel source. Contact your state’s Public Service Commission or State Energy Conservation Office to learn more about your power options.
About the author: Rob Lawrence joined EPA in 1990 and is Senior Policy Advisor on Energy Issues in the Dallas, TX regional office. As an economist, he works to insure that both supply and demand components are addressed as the Region develops its Clean Energy and Climate Change Strategy.
Tags: department of energy's energy information administratio, electricity, rural electrification act
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Question of the Week
September 11th, 2009 at 11:12 am
Great information. thank you 41 World USA-La Crosse Eagle Power, La Crosse, WI 54601
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September 11th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Thank you for the Electricity and Energy Updates. Professionally,
41 World USA-La Crosse Eagle Power Co.
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September 11th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Other interesting data are:
How many water electric plants need depending on source of energy?
Which plants were closed in a drought seasson?
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Rob reply on September 15, 2009 9:13 am:
That is a very interesting point. I recall reading a news article last year about water intake structures for a power plant in the southeast that was dangerously close to being unable to take in the needed cooling water in the 2008 drought. I am not sure if any power plants have reached that point this year. It must be considered as part of any adaptation strategy for our changing climate.
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September 11th, 2009 at 3:09 pm
I live in Orange County in southern California, only a short distance from the San Diego County line. We get alot of our power from San Anofre Nuclear Generating Station; but, we are also getting more coming on line alternative power sources much cleaner than coal or oil and much safer to have than nuclear. Several wind farms have been set up to create wind power, there is geothermal power coming into the system from Imperial County. There is a major program underway to retrofit solar power panals on the roofs of lower income persons who have power bills above $150.00 a month. I have also seen the Governor’s Climate Change Action Team draft report and if climate change goes here as they predict–longer drier seasons and a little shorter but much more intense wet seasons, then solar and hydrogen will be perfect fits for what the climate will be like. Wind is still going to be a good fit. A brand new alternative power source for us–wave power–will also be a perfect fit for California’s coastal and near coastal areas as the ocean water level will be going up. If we had hydrogen fueled power plants and used solar energy to manufacture the hydrogen we would have developed a pollution free way to provide inexpensive electric power because solar has zero emissions and hydrogen emissions are pure water vapor. Best wishes, Michael E. Bailey.
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Rob reply on September 15, 2009 9:16 am:
Reliable, nearby alternative sources are always good options to pursue. Having flexibility in planning allows the industry to adjust to changing conditions - environmental or economic.
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Jordan S. reply on September 28, 2009 9:57 pm:
The above comment post makes the common misperception of coal burning being “much safer” than nuclear energy. While nuclear power plant failure is highly publicized and very memorable, it is very rare. Statistics prove it is “much safer” to live next to a nuclear power plant as opposed to a coal fired power plant. The reason being: coal of all kinds when burned releases mercury into the air, which is in turn inhaled by residents living nearby plants. Nuclear plants only release steam and water vapor into the air, but nuclear is not perfect , the by product is highly radioactive waste which has been safely handled for over 50 years with very few incidents. The combination of lead lined containers, concrete, and cooling pools reduces the risk of radiation contamination to nearby residents to zero. The few incidents are very well known, Three Mile Island and Chernobyl. Combined these incidents and lack of reliable knowledge fuel the debate against an energy source that needs new attention. New technologies and techniques for delivering nuclear energy effectively, efficiently, and safely have emerged in the 21st century. I will also note that coal produces carbon, nuclear energy does not. Nuclear energy should not be ignored because it is thought coal is safer.
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September 11th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
I am a friend of Coal <:), and believe that clean use is possible. The clean air act started the move to improve our environment, but we have miles to go. I look at a nearby TVA plant and see a rust colored plume that goes to the horizon on a cool day….. I know my electricity usage contributes to this problem.
This is what I have done to minimize usage while waiting for a technology change to improve the generating source.
1. Passive solar - If you have a south facing wall open up the blinds and let the sun heat your home. Winter - the sun is low in the sky and shines straight in, Summer- the sun is high enough in the sky that it will only shine in the morning and evening.
2. Replace your lamps with new CF bulbs, We like the “daylight” version - bright white light. Works well in “can lights”
3. Turn down your electric hot water heater to 120 deg F, this is your #1 user.
4. If it (anything electric) is not in use turn off the power.
5. Replace any air conditioner or heat pump more than 5 yrs old. Great advances have been made in recent years.
I have done each of the items above and cut my usage by 30+%.
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bgcoffeelover reply on September 12, 2009 9:32 am:
I live in south central Kentucky
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Rob reply on September 15, 2009 9:21 am:
Thanks for the helpful hints that everyone can implement. #4 on your list is a big issue with me - Why does an electric toothbrush need to be charging 24 hours a day when it is only used for a couple of minutes twice a day?
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September 11th, 2009 at 5:42 pm
I know that in the south region of the greater of Boston in Cape Code Area. We get a wonderful Central Wind power termaninal
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September 12th, 2009 at 1:07 pm
Harmless sources of electricity is half the answer. The other half is to reduce demand by PEACEFULLY reducing the human population with family planning education and free clinics Worldwide, while safely recycling 100% of all waste and garbage. The slowly shrinking Earth cannot support a growing economy pushed by a growing population.
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September 28th, 2009 at 10:32 pm
This article discusses natural gas production and relates natural gas production in terms of states. The article reads, “Only 5 states (RI, NV, FL, MA, and AK) use natural gas for over 50% of their electrical generation. And of those states, only Alaska is a natural gas production state.” This information is skewed because of the simple fact most of the natural gas produced in the United States is not produced in any state at all. 2,798,718 million cubic feet of natural gas is produced in the Federal Offshore Gulf of Mexico. Alaska produces 433,485 million cubic feet. Numbers are from the Energy Information Administration, official energy statistics from the U.S. government. Numbers as of 2007. Valuable resources are not only found within state borders.
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October 21st, 2009 at 9:31 pm
Where does the N.R.G come from to N.Y?
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