(a) The impending deregulation of the electric utility industry gives us the opportunity to show our commitment to clean environment: we will soon be in a position to buy electricity from companies that produce it with different degrees of environmental impact (and cost!).
(b) We can monitor the effectiveness of our energy conservation measures.
The meter is now reading 37,715 kilowatthours. If one month later your home's meter reads 39,715 kWh, you will have consumed 2000 kWh per month which, at 10 cents per kWh, will have cost you $200. (If you live in a metropolitan area, you may be paying as much as 15 cents per kWh. In some rural areas, this cost can be as low as $0.05/kWh.)
Here we shall summarize the basics of electricity production and consumption. The continued availability of inexpensive and environmentally friendly electricity, more than any other energy issue, will shape the economy of the world in the 21st century.