Powering Strong Communities

Industry Statistics and Reports

America’s Electricity Generation Capacity, 2019 Update
The twelfth annual report on current and forthcoming electricity generation capacity in the United States by type of fuel, location, and ownership. Currently, the U.S. has more than 1.2 million megawatts of generation capacity. The largest fuel source is natural gas, accounting for over 44 percent of all generation capacity. Coal, with a share of just over 22 percent of capacity, is the second largest capacity source. Nuclear, hydro, and wind together account for over 25 percent of capacity. Natural gas will continue to be the top fuel source in the near and distant future, followed by wind.

Public Power Pays Back (Payments in Lieu of Taxes 2016 Data), Published 2018

2018 Retail Electric Rates in Regulated and Deregulated States
The U.S. Department of Energy, Energy Information Administration (EIA) data show that between 1997 and 2017, increases in retail electric prices in states with deregulated electric markets and regulated states were about the same, and the original promise of deregulation – greatly reduced prices – has not materialized.

Average Revenue per kWh, 2017 for Electric Utilities in the U.S. 
This report shows each utility's average revenue per kilowatt-hour, representing full service sales only. Average values for states with retail choice do not include sales to customers that purchase power from alternate energy suppliers. Revenue per kilowatt-hour was calculated by the American Public Power Association from data reported by each utility to EIA on Form EIA-861.

2015 Governance Survey
In April 2015, the American Public Power Association conducted its ninth Governance Survey to determine the type of control local governments exercise over publicly owned electric systems. The report summarizes the survey data, presenting information on the type of governing bodies that oversee public power systems, term limits and compensation of governing body members, and the authorities granted to utility governing bodies.

State Commission Authority to Regulate Public Power Utility Rates, Published June 2014
In general, a utility’s governing body (city council or independent utility board, for example) has authority over a public power utility’s retail rates, but in some states – and in certain circumstances – a state regulatory commission may have jurisdiction. APPA listed excerpts from state statutes and commission websites that address the degree of commission oversight of public power utilities’ rates for each state. APPA provides these excerpts as reference material only; they do not constitute legal advice. Includes supplements: Quick Reference Guide to State Regulation of Public Power Utilities and a chart on the Authority of State Commissions to Regulate Public Power Utilities.

Public Power Utilities: Net Metering Programs
This document assembles information from public power utility websites in order to describe the net metering policies and programs of larger public power systems in each state.

Distributed Generation: An Overview of Recent Policy and Market Developments Published November 2013

Understanding and Evaluating Payments in Lieu of Taxes and Other Contributions to State and Local Governments: A Guide for Publicly Owned Electric Utility Policies and Procedures, Published June 2012

Sold or Transferred Plants Since 1998
These tables
 summarize the amount of generating capacity sold or transferred since 1998. Summaries include by type (utility vs. non-utility) and by state.

Investor-Owned Utility Information
Major Federal Tax Breaks that Lower Investor-Owned Electric Company Costs and U.S. Treasury Revenues 2006 [pdf]
Glossary of Investor-Owned Utility Names and Compilation of Investor-Owned Utility Transactions