Monthly Flash Estimates of Electric Power Data

             
 

In February 2005, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) introduced Monthly Flash Estimates of Electric Power Data, which presents the most recent EIA electricity data. The report is released approximately 45 days after the end of the reporting month, about 30 days ahead of the more detailed Electric Power Monthly report.

Contents
Flash Estimates presents national-level data for the reporting month, the previous month, the same month in the previous year, rolling 12-month periods, and a year-to-date summation. Topics include:

  • Electricity generation
  • Fuel consumption
  • Fuel stocks
  • Electricity sales
  • Average retail electricity prices
  • Heating and cooling degree-days

The ten-page report begins with a brief commentary to put the information into a useful context. The next four pages present tables and charts displaying data and trends in net generation, fossil fuel consumption, and fossil fuel stocks.

Pages six through eight contain tables and charts for electric power retail sales and average prices, price trends, and sales trends. Page nine presents heating and cooling degree-days, including up to two years of actual data compared to normal heating or cooling degree-days. The last page contains supporting information and definitions.

   
 

Trend in Coal Stocks, Electric Power Sector
(Million Tons)
Source: Energy Information Administration.
 

   
 

Methodology
Information published in the Flash Estimates is compiled from survey data collected monthly from a statistically-derived sample of power plants and electricity retailers. The nominal sample sizes are approximately 450 electric utilities and other energy service providers, approximately 300 combined- heat-and-power (CHP) plants, and about 1,440 non-CHP plants.

For the most part a regression-based method is used to estimate totals from the sample. Updated information is later released in the Electric Power Monthly, which uses essentially complete samples and includes State-level values.

   
 
 

Monthly Flash Estimates of Electric Power Data is available on the EIA Web site at http://eia.doe.gov/cneaf/electricity/epm/flash/flash.html

   
 

For general information about energy, contact the
National Energy Information Center at 202-586-8800 or infoctr@eia.doe.gov

If you are having technical problems with this website, contact the
EIA Webmaster at wmaster@eia.doe.gov or call 202-586-8959

Questions about the report's content should be directed to:

Orhan Yildiz, Office of Coal, Nuclear, Electric and Alternate Fuels
Orhan.Yildiz@eia.doe.gov
Phone: (202) 287-1586

URL: http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/plugs/pljuly05.html
File last modified: July 27, 2005