http://www.eia.gov What's New at the Energy Information Administration en-us Mon, 21 May 2012 00:35:19 EST http://www.eia.gov/images/eia_small_new_1.gif http://www.eia.gov US Energy Information Administration http://www.eia.govhttp://www.eia.gov/energy_in_brief/renewable_electricity.cfm Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 EST (Fri, 18 May 2012) U.S. power plants used renewable energy sources ? water (hydroelectric), wood, wind, organic waste, geothermal, and sun ? to generate about 13% of our electricity in 2011. http://www.eia.govhttp://www.eia.gov/energy_in_brief/major_energy_sources_and_users.cfm Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 EST (Fri, 18 May 2012) The major energy sources in the United States are petroleum (oil), natural gas, coal, nuclear, and renewable energy. The major users are residential and commercial buildings, industry, transportation, and electric power generators. The pattern of fuel use varies widely by sector. For example, oil provides 93% of the energy used for transportation, but only about 1% of the energy used to generate electric power. http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=6330 Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00:00 EST (Fri, 18 May 2012) The combination of one of the warmest winters in decades (November-March) and low spot natural gas prices contributed to low wholesale electric prices at major market locations during the winter of 2011/12. http://www.eia.gov/electricity/wholesale/ Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 EST (Thu, 17 May 2012) Spreadsheets contain peak prices, volumes, and the number of transactions at ten electricity trading hubs covering most regions of the United States. Data from ICE (IntercontinentalExchange) through May 11, 2012. http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=6310 Thu, 17 May 2012 00:00:00 EST (Thu, 17 May 2012) Nuclear generating capacity additions began in the 1950s and now top 346 gigawatts worldwide. The first nuclear reactor to produce electricity was a very small U.S. experimental reactor in 1951. Currently, 30 countries have nuclear power programs. http://www.eia.gov/uranium/production/quarterly/ Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 EST (Wed, 16 May 2012) First quarter 2012 update of uranium production in the United States and operating status of U.S. uranium mills and plants. http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=6290 Wed, 16 May 2012 00:00:00 EST (Wed, 16 May 2012) U.S. natural gas consumption since 1997 reflects shifting patterns. Total U.S. natural gas consumption rose 7% between 1997 and 2011, but this modest growth masks bigger changes in individual sectors. Electric power is now the largest natural gas consuming sector and it shows perhaps the greatest sensitivity to price changes. http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=6270 Tue, 15 May 2012 00:00:00 EST (Tue, 15 May 2012) Electricity consumers are participating in net-metering programs in growing numbers. When individuals or businesses install small, typically renewable, onsite generators (such as a rooftop solar system), they can usually enter into a net-metering agreement with their utility. Between 2003 and 2010, the average annual growth in customer participation was 56%, with a 61% increase between 2009 and 2010. While participation is increasing, electric customers with net-metering represented only 0.1% of all customers in 2010. http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=6250 Mon, 14 May 2012 00:00:00 EST (Mon, 14 May 2012) Seventeen states and the District of Columbia have adopted electric retail choice programs that allow end-use customers to buy electricity from competitive retail suppliers. While residential customer participation rates are low in almost all of these states, a majority of commercial customers have signed up with competitive suppliers in 9 states and a majority of industrial customers have signed up in 12 states. http://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.cfm?id=6230 Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00:00 EST (Fri, 11 May 2012) On May 10, 2012, EIA published new information on planned additions to natural gas pipeline capacity and natural gas storage facilities. EIA is planning to update this information quarterly.