Electricity's First Quarter

At the tail end of last week, the Energy Department released its March data. Now we can assess electricity’s first quarter, January through March.

Residences used 10.3 percent more kilowatt-hours than in the first quarter of last year. The increase was notable. Residential usage had decreased the three previous years.

Though, residential usage in this year’s first quarter was only the fifth highest. It was greater in the first quarter of 2010, 2011, 2014 and 2015.

First quarter usage per household peaked in 2010, at 3,251 kilowatt-hours. Usage during this year’s first quarter averaged around 2,900 kilowatt-hours. That’s above the low levels of the last two years. But below the levels of a dozen years this century.  Kilowatt-hour usage per household continues to be relatively weak.

Residential electric bills totaled 46.3 million dollars in this year’s first quarter. That’s up 10.1 percent from last year. Total bills had decreased the three previous years.

First quarter bills per household peaked in 2014, at 377 dollars. Bills during this year’s first quarter averaged around 365 dollars. Bills per household continue to be relatively moderate particularly when general inflation in taken into account.

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Steve Mitnick, Editor-in-Chief, Public Utilities Fortnightly, and President, Lines Up, Inc.
E-mail me: mitnick@fortnightly.com