Energy Industry

Question 1

What were revenues for U.S. Electric Utilities?

Answer 1

In 2017, the electric power industry in the United States generated a revenue of about 390.34 billion U.S. dollars.

Question 2

What is an IRP?

Answer 2

Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) meant to assess what a utility requires to meet customer needs for the next 20 years.

Question 3

What are the names of top utility companies (based on enterprise value?)

Answer 3

NextEra Energy ($91 B) 
Duke Energy ($65 B)
Dominion Resources ($60 B)
Southern Company ($54 B)
Exelon ($48 B)
American Electric ($41 B)
Public Service Enterprise Group-PSEG ($30 B)
Xcel Energy ($28 B)
Consolidated Edison ($27 B)
PG&E ($22 B)

Question 4

How big is TVA?

Answer 4

TVA serves 9 million customers in seven states, with more than $11 billion in revenue. It is not in the top ten list of utilities.

Question 5

What is an IOU?

Answer 5

investor-owned utilities (IOUs)

Question 6

What are the sectors involved in the energy industry?

Answer 6

Oil, Gas & Chemicals; Power & Utilities; and Industrial Products & Construction

Question 7

Which are the largest U.S. natural gas utilities?

Answer 7

Sempra Energy ($35 B)
Atmos Energy ($12 B)
UGI ($9 B)

Question 8

Largest US gas & electric utilities in 2018 (based on revenue)

Answer 8

Exelon ($36 B)  (almost 10% of total for the industry)
Duke Energy ($24 B)
Southern ($23 B)
PG&E ($17 B)
NextEra Energy ($17 B)

Question 9

How many utilities are there in the US?

Answer 9

About 2000

Question 10

What was the estimated global subsidy for fossil fuels (including the social and environmental costs) in 2015?

Answer 10

Upwards of $5 trillion annually, according the IMF, roughly 6.5% of global gross domestic product, the benefits of which flow disproportionately to the wealthy.

Question 11

What would be the effects of eliminating these subsidies?

Answer 11

According to the IMF: 1) Drive down CO2 emissions by as much as 24%; 2) Raise government revenues by $3 trillion, which funds can go towards critical programs and clean energy projects; 3) Slash premature deaths from pollution-related diseases by 50%; 4) Raise global economic welfare by $1.8 trillion (about 2% of GDP); which would offset the slightly higher energy costs faced by consumers. 5) The cuts would mostly impact the rich, who use far more energy and who benefit from the subsidies. Changing subsidies would help allocate resources more efficiently in our economies.