The Bush Administration's 2001 Energy Report is calling it the worst energy crisis to face the nation since the 1970's. Making the case for a new long-term energy strategy -- and for an emphasis on increasing energy supplies, the report says that over the next 20 years:
With retail gasoline prices climbing across the U.S. and the possibility of rolling electrical blackouts in several states, consumers and businesses, along with the government, are looking for answers.
The Bush Administration's plan focuses on three key elements: demand, mentioned above, supply, and the means to match them. On the supply side, the Administration is calling for increased domestic oil production and new construction of coal-fired and nuclear power plants. The Administration's plan also calls for review of the policy banning nuclear power plants powered by reprocessed fuels.
In 1999, nearly 75% of the nation's electricity was generated by petroleum, coal and nuclear-fired plants. Nuclear plants across the nation accounted for 20% of the nation's electricity, second only to coal-fired plants responsible for 51%. Petroleum-fired plants supplied slightly over 3%.
Noting that France relies on nuclear energy for 80% of its power needs, the Administration's energy plan calls for a review of nuclear power policies. The plan recommends increasing nuclear power generation, extending the licenses of existing plants, and for a review of the policy banning nuclear plants powered by reprocessed fuel. France and Japan are among the countries already using this technology.
In the United States, five companies control nearly half the nation's nuclear generating capacity. The largest, Exelon controls 17% of the total U.S. nuclear market.
Source: Energy Information Administration, CNN.com
| Plant | State | Operator Name | Generation (Megawatt-Hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palo Verde | AZ | Arizona Public Service Co. | 30,415,572 |
| Oconee | SC | Duke Energy Corp. | 19,836,917 |
| South Texas | TX | Reliznt Energy HL&P | 19,413,369 |
| Sequoyah | TN | Tennessee Valley Authority | 18,965,943 |
| Braidwood | IL | Commonwealth Edison Co. | 18,955,737 |
| Alvin W. Vogtle | GA | Southern Nuclear Operating Co. | 18,448,477 |
| Limerick PECO | PA | PECO Energy Co. | 18,298,498 |
| Browns Ferry | AL | Tennessee Valley Authority | 18,291,610 |
| Byron | IL | Commonwealth Edison Co. | 18,082,620 |
| Peach Bottom | PA | PECO Energy Co. | 18,020,915 |
Source: Energy Insight
Missouri utilities generated nearly 69 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity in 1998, with coal-fired plants generating 83.5%. Callaway Nuclear Plant, Missouri's only commercial nuclear facility generated slightly more than 8.5 billion kilowatt-hours, accounting for 11.4% of Missouri's total electricity in 1998. In 2000, the Callaway Plant, owned by AmerenUE, generated nearly 10 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity. Missouri has a number of other electricity sources including petroleum, hydroelectric and natural gas.
Missouri is a net exporter of electricity. In 1998, Missouri ranked 19th among the States in utility capability and 20th in actual utility generation. Missouri ranks 26th in the nation for the average cost of utilities, 15th for the average cost of commercial electricity, and 18th for the average cost of residential electricity. The average cost of utilities in Missouri is 6.08 cents per kilowatt-hour.
| Sector | Price (Cents / Kilowatt-Hour) | National Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Average | 6.08 | 26 |
| Industrial | 4.43 | 28 |
| Commercial | 5.99 | 15 |
| Residential | 7.08 | 18 |
Source: Energy Information Administration
