National Electric Rate ComparisonsWhere can I find local and national electrical rate statistics? Specifically, I'm interested in the figures for average annual rate increases to help calculate the payback on renewable energy systems. Is anyone collecting this information? -- Alana N., Mount Vernon, WA Rising energy rates are now a commonly-accepted fact of life, but when I used to make speeches a dozen years ago that these increases would likely happen, it generated knowing snickers or vehement responses of incredulity. Please remember that electric rates are regulated by state Public Utility Commissions, so each state is different as is each utility service area. There are also regional differences in rates due to age and length of electric transmission and distribution lines and natural gas pipelines. Electric rates are also expressed differently, with some rates being bundled, while others resemble your cell phone bills with varied rates expressed as demand charges, peak power rates, time-of-day rates, and ratchet rates. There are entities that track these changes, but most are tied to regulatory or commercial clients. The Energy Information Administration, an autonomous entity within the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) does provide some information, and their chart can be retrieved here. The State of Nebraska has a great rate chart comparing state rates as of December 2007 and the California Public Utility Commission (CPUC) has several detailed charts that you can access here. And if you want a taste of what the private sector can get, you can go to Maisy.com to get hour by hour rate information achievable in 373 metropolitan areas. Good luck on future predictions — they've all been wrong — but I can assure you that electric and natural gas prices will go up — and I can stand by that prediction with absolute confidence! The information and views expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of RenewableEnergyWorld.com or the companies that advertise on its Web site and other publications.
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Scott Sklar
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http://www.eia.doe.gov/emeu/mer/pdf/pages/sec9_14.pdf
It's interesting to note that the last time we had an oil crisis, electricity rates roughly tripled from 1973 to 1985. Will it happen again this time? We're not dependent on oil for our electricity now, but we are dependent on natural gas, and the price of natural gas rises when oil prices do.