Electricity Sales and Revenue

Retail electricity sales by electric utilities and power marketers totaled 3,413 billion kWh, up from 3,312 billion kWh in 1999. Sales rose in all consumer sectors with the largest volume and percentage increase occurring in the residential sector. Factors affecting the year-to-year change in sales include an increase in the number of retail customers, warmer-than-normal weather during the period of January through April, the coldest November-December period in the last 106 years, and strong economic growth during the first half of the year. On a State-by-State basis, retail sales to ultimate consumers were highest in Texas at 316 billion kWh. California and Florida ranked second and third with 247 billion kWh and 195 billion kWh, respectively.

Figure 11. U.S. Electric Utility Sales and Revenue to Ultimate Consumers, 2000

Sales to residential customers totaled 1,193 billion kWh, up 4.2 percent from the 1,145 billion kWh reported in 1999. Record cold weather during November and December was a major contributor to the increase in sales. August sales set a monthly record at 124 billion kWh, but were up only slightly from the previous record set in August 1999. Texas led the Nation in retail sales to residential consumers with 116 billion kWh. Florida and California ranked second and third with 99 billion kWh and 80 billion kWh, respectively.

Commercial sales totaled 1,038 billion kWh, up from 1,002 billion kWh reported in 1999. California led the Nation with 93 billion kWh, followed by Texas and Florida with 84 billion kWh and 72 billion kWh, respectively. Industrial sales totaled 1,071 billion kWh, up from 1,058 billion kWh reported in 1999. Texas led the Nation with sales of 101 billion kWh to the industrial sector. Ohio and California followed with 68 billion kWh and 64 billion kWh, respectively.

Figure 12. Estimated Average Revenue per Kilowatthour for all Sectors at Electric Utilities by State, 2000

On a revenue-per-kilowatthour basis for the residential sector, New York was highest at 14.1 cents per kWh. New Hampshire and Vermont ranked second and third at 13.6 cents per kWh and 12.1 cents per kWh, respectively. The State of Washington reported the lowest revenue per kWh for electricity sales to the residential sector at 5.2 cents. Kentucky and Idaho ranked second and third at 5.3 cents per kWh and 5.4 cents per kWh, respectively. Additional States with revenue per kWh at or below 6.5 cents per kWh include Montana, Oregon, Nebraska, North Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia.