Electricity Price Index Soars to New Record at Start of 2014; U.S. Electricity Production Declining

CNS News ^ | February 21, 2014 | Terence P. Jeffrey

[DannyTN]

And that's what is driving the decline of energy use - the decline of heavy industry.

I think you're right. That and the already ridiculously high prices for electricity make us ever more aware of our usage.

I think McCain was right. We needed to build nuclear plants and lots of them.

[bigbob]

No, it’s because we’re becoming more efficient in using electricity. Most FReepers just like to make fun of it, but switchmode power supplies, LED and LCD displays, and LED/CFL lighting have allowed us to expand the population while using less energy. What’s not to like?

[bigbob]

"The majority of electric power is consumed by the industry, not by households." Not true.

If you look at total quads, residential is larger. If you look just at electricity, residential is still larger.

But the point is moot, because the same factors that are improving efficiency in homes are doing the same in commercial and industrial users. Only moreso in some cases, such as the shift from pneumatic and hydraulic power to electric motors controlled by highly-efficient variable speed drives that actually reduce energy consumption in comparison with wasteful mechanical systems and transmissions.

Energy efficiency is good. If for no other reason that it means our coal will last longer.

[fhayek]

Man, you said it. He was so geeked up about infrastructure. Well, there is no more important infrastructure than the power grid.

[tcrlaf]

Well, it is what the TV told the Sheeple to vote for, after all...
And it’s not like Obama didn’t warn them what he would do.

OH WAIT...
Am I a racist for remembering Obama’s actual words?

[tcrlaf]

“Part of obama’s plan to subjugate America. Cold and starving people are more compliant ... ask the NKs.”

Or the Ukrainians, or the Chinese, or the Gulag dwellers, etc...

[Greysard]

If you look at total quads, residential is larger. If you look just at electricity, residential is still larger.

I am not sure if I'm adding the numbers correctly, but per my calculations I get this:

Electric:
Industrial + Commercial: 25%
Residential: 15%

Total energy:
Industrial + Commercial + Transportation: 74%
Residential: 26%

There isn't much point in separating Industrial and Commercial because they are essentially the same. A commercial warehouse is using an industrial refrigerator, not a residential one; this is done for business purposes, and it is an investment that gives you a return. Residential use has no business purpose, and there is no ROI. Residential use is not productive; it does not make the country richer. Grouping residential and commercial together, as on that chart, is unreasonable.

[HarleyD]

There is a reason they took food and fuel out of the mix when they calculate the inflation index. These two things are skyrocketing and are what affects people’s budgets the most. Yet we’re told inflation is only at 1.6 percent.

[Organic Panic]

Skyrocketing to the good times. Forward

[Yorlik803]

And all those coal miners who backed “His Highness” are now screwed.

[Carry_Okie]

This is what was done to California in 2002.

[nascarnation]

Rolling blackouts/brownouts will be commonplace it seems.

Not necessarily. It appears we are going to ration by price and availability. High prices will definitely force conservation.

[vpintheak]

Yep. Unions are a horrible thing.