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The article discusses the vulnerability of the U.S. electric grid to physical attacks on its transformers. Pennsylvania Transformer Technologies Inc., ABB Inc., and Mitsubishi Electric Power Products Inc. are among the few firms that manufacture transformers in the U.S. The largest transformers can take over a year to build, and weeks or months to transport to utilities from the U.S. or abroad.

The article presents a short quiz about alternative energy in the U.S. and addresses several misconceptions about that topic. Commentary is presented about the proportion of power-generation in the U.S. accounted for by alternative energy sources such as wind power, to what extent renewable sources can replace fossil fuels, and the impact on renewable sources of inexpensive natural gas.

The article discusses the impact of a vigorous shale-gas industry in the U.S. on the nuclear-power industry. Amid an abundance of inexpensive shale gas, some utilities are reconsidering their earlier plans to construct new nuclear reactors. Figures from the U.S. Energy Information Agency indicate it is much less expensive on a per-kilowatt basis to build a gas-fueled power plant than a nuclear one.

The article discusses declining numbers of coal-fueled power plants in the U.S. Between 2003 and 2011 the share of electricity produced by coal has fallen from almost 51% to 43%. Contributing factors include stricter anti-pollution regulations from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and a growing abundance of cheap natural gas from shale rock.

The article reports that spies from China, Russia, and other countries have electronically penetrated the electrical grid in the U.S. According to current and former U.S. intelligence officials, malignant software has been embedded that could be made active by foreign interests at some future date. Water and sewage systems are also considered to be at risk.

The article discusses the high cost of electric power in Texas. Six years after the industry was deregulated, the cost of electricity in Texas ranks among the nation's highest. Contributing factors include rising natural gas prices, congested transmission lines, and the failure of several retail companies that sell electricity.

The article focuses on the financial burdens electric power plants in the U.S., including American Electric Power, which are among the largest emitters of greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, will face if they are mandated by the U.S. government to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. A discussion of the modifications which the plants will need to make to reduce the gases is presented.

Focuses on the rising price of natural gas and its potential impact on the cost of electricity in the United States. Impact of Hurricane Katrina on energy markets, noting record price-levels of oil and natural gas; Review of natural-gas prices over the last two years, noting it was increasing before Katrina struck; Expectations for consumers' bills for natural gas as the winter season approaches; Why consumers will pay more for electricity, noting power plants burn natural gas to generate electric power; Measures being considered by regulators and utilities to deal with the rising costs of natural gas; Comments from Susan Kennedy, a member of the California Public Utilities Commission, regarding the importance of natural-gas prices; Quoted prices of natural gas on the New York Mercantile Exchange for the months of October, November and December; Discussion of the spot-market for natural gas and electricity; Review of deregulated markets that are dependent on the spot-market price for natural gas and electricity.

Reports that little progress will be made in the effort to remake the U.S electrical grid as was speculated after the August 2003 black out in the eastern portion of the United States. Details of an energy bill in Congress, indicating a plan to reduce the disruptions in electricity markets proposed by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) will not be part of it; Year in which Senate Energy Committee chairman Pete Domenci, a New Mexico Republican, will put off implementation of the FERC plan, which aims to fix some of the management and structural problems that may have contributed to the black out; Number of controllers overseeing the U.S. power grid, suggesting confusing lines of authority and interorganizational communication choppy; Details of FERC's plan to reduce the amount of management.

Focuses on an idea known as distributed generation, where U.S. buildings could generate enough of their own electricity to collectively ease the load on the nation's power grid. Alternative methods proposed by distributed-generation proponents, suggesting a growing U.S. population can not rely on the antiquated system currently in place; Comments of John Tucker, chief executive of Capstone Turbine Corp. of Chatsworth (Calif.), a manufacturer of small turbines, also known as microturbines, that generate electricity; View of industry experts that large corporations, factories and big office buildings will have to adopt distributed generation in order for it to have any effect; Statistics related to the electricity generated by distributed generation, indicating that it is only a small percentage; Limitations on diesel-powered generators; Benefits of cogeneration, which uses waste heat for other purposes.

The author asserts that the U.S. can use flare gas to produce electricity as it offers environmental benefits by reducing the burning and wasting of natural gas, will help address power failure and make the domestic production of oil more profitable.

The article presents forecasting on electric power production and distribution by college teacher Jay Apt of Carnegie Mellon University who states that lower natural gas prices could lead to a transition to distributed power generation.

The article covers the impact of U.S. electricity producers' increased use of natural gas. It states that despite lower prices, some utility company executives do not forecast natural gas prices to remain low enough to abandon the use of coal. However, U.S. government research indicates that increases in shale gas should keep natural gas prices relatively low through 2020. Other topics covered include pollution concerns and utility companies such as American Electric Power Co. and Southern Co.

The article reports on the decline in electricity production in the U.S. in 2008 and 2009, which is said to be due to a weak economy, conservation efforts, and a mild summer in many parts of the country in 2009.

The article focuses on the combination of job creation measures with climate-change prevention programs in the U.S. after nations failed to create a biding agreement at the climate summit in December 2009. President Barack Obama announced the recipients of clean-energy manufacturing tax credits on January 6, 2010. American ElectricPower Co. chief executive Michael Morris urges the government to require utilities to produce a portion of electricity from renewable energy at higher cost. But cap-and-trade supporters contend it creates more jobs.

The article reports on the preparation of electric utilities for electric cars that are expected to be displayed at showrooms in the U.S. in 2010. Governments and consumers expressed interest in these cars to address growing concern about the environment and volatile gasoline prices. It cites the move of most utilities to partner with automobile makers to determine where and how to install charging equipment and how to deal with increased power demand.

The article reports on the requests for a round of rate increases in the U.S. for 2010 launched by utilities. The move is made as utilities are faced with the declining electricity sales and increasing demands to invest in their power networks. It notes that big rate increases are driven by higher prices for natural gas and coal, which are used to make electricity. It also mentions the impact of pension obligations on the electric sector.

Corrections to articles in the October 19, 2009 issue about the mining license issued by the Mongolian government to Ivanhoe Mines Ltd., the amount of megawatts needed to power on average about one million U.S. homes and the death of a woman from Prior Lake, Minnesota after engaging in a sweatlodge ceremony in Arizona are presented.

The article reports on the move of public utility companies in the U.S. to build small hydroelectric power plants in remote areas. Managers of these companies who are looking for ways to meet the increasing demand for electricity are said to be avoiding coal plants as they are believed to contribute to global warming. Environmentalists express concern that the small power plants, while providing small amount of electricity, could industrialize backcountries.

This article reveals that the small town of Mattoon, Illinois is expected to receive $1.8 billion share from the $787 billion economic stimulus package bill approved by the U.S. House of Representatives. It explains that the money will be spent to construct a high-technology power plant called FutureGen, which is long sought by state's politicians and the town with a population of 18,000. Republicans cites this spending a proof that President Barack Obama has not lived up to a no-earmarks pledge.

The author reflects on a demand for a transition to carbon-free electricity generation across the U.S. by former Vice President Al Gore. He notes that Gore believes that such a transition is achievable through the use of renewable energy sources. He suggests that the argument of the former vice president would be helped if he was willing to propose investing in nuclear power. He cites the drawbacks of using renewable energy sources such as the problem of intermittency with wind power and solar power.

The article reports that natural-gas futures fell at the New York Mercantile Exchange after the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported an increase in U.S. natural gas stocks in the week ended July 11, 2008. Analysts at the EIA attributed the increase in part to cooler-than-normal weather in Midwestern states, Texas, Florida, Louisiana and other Southern states that depend on natural gas to generate electricity for cooling. Another factor to the increase in natural gas stocks is the strength of North American natural-gas production.

The article focuses on the suggestion from Jeffrey Immelt, chief executive of General Electric Co. (GE), that utilities should be willing to consider new generation methods while making existing techniques more efficient to meet the growing power needs in the U.S. Immelt said that growth in growing economies like China and India, in addition to steady demand at home, will keep energy costs high for the future. He also encouraged utilities to consider renewable energy options and to improve efficiency at existing coals.

The article reports that the increase in the demand for electricity is outpacing new supply sources in the U.S. according to North American Electric Reliability Corp. (NERC). It found that supplies decline the fastest in such areas as California, the Rocky Mountain region and New England. NERC cited that peak demand will increase by 18% or about 135,000 megawatts from 2008 to 2017. About 44% of the proposed power generation are anticipated to come from renewable-energy projects according to grid-running organizations.

Presents information on a report from the U.S. Federal Energy Regulatory Commission on the market rules and regulatory practices of California for its power producers.

Discusses the Kumho project in North Korea, in which that country agreed to end its efforts to build nuclear weapons in return for the construction of two light-water nuclear reactors for power generation. Way that the nuclear reactors would be overseen by international inspectors; Involvement of the U.S. in the project; Power grid of North Korea, which cannot accommodate the electricity generated by the plants; Diplomatic problems surrounding the project.

Reports on the wind power industry in Texas. Mention of the company Cielo Wind Power LLC, which generates power by wind; Investment of electric companies in the wind ranch industry; Efforts to convince residents of the benefits of wind power.

Discusses the potential of distributed generation of electricity as solution to the electric power shortages and electricity deregulation problems in California.

Discusses the potential for too much electric production in Texas in the summer of 2001. How many power-generation companies built power plants in Texas due to weak zoning laws and ample space; Inability of extra power in Texas to help other areas of the country where there is not enough power, such as California, due to power grids in the United States.

Reports on the lobbying efforts of coal and utility companies asking United States President George W. Bush to ease a clean-air regulation so that equipment at electric power plants can be upgraded.

Presents tabular information about the US electricity production for the week ended July 8, 1995, as reported by the Edison Electric In-stitute.

Presents tabular information about output of electricity in the US in the week ended June 3, 1995, as reported by the Edison Electric Institute.

Presents a tabular representation of the electricity output in US for the week ended on May 27, 1995.

Presents tabular information on electricity production in the United States in the week ended December 10, 1994. Comparison with preceding week.

Presents information on electricity production in the United States as of September 11, 1996.

Presents a chart showing electricity output in the United States for the week ended August 17, 1996.

Provides information on the average electrical power production in the United States as of August 21, 1996.

Presents information on electricity production in the United States as of July 31, 1996.

Presents the breakdown of electricity output in United States' regions for the week that ended on July 13, 1996.