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Electricity and Regional Economic Development some interesting facts. by Paul Coomes, Ph.D. Consulting Economist, and Professor Emeritus of Economics, University of Louisville Kentucky Industrial Utility Customers Conference March 13, 2014.
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Electricity and Regional Economic Developmentsome interesting facts by Paul Coomes, Ph.D. Consulting Economist, and Professor Emeritus of Economics, University of Louisville Kentucky Industrial Utility Customers Conference March 13, 2014
Economic Importance of Electricity Generation and Electricity Rates in Kentucky Kentucky has 40 electric generation establishments, employing around 2,300 people. Among states, Kentucky ranks 21st in electric generation plants, and 20th in employment in electric generation. Top states are heavily populated: Pennsylvania, Illinois, Texas, Georgia, Ohio, Florida, California, New York, Michigan; all with over twice the generation facilities as Kentucky (which ranks 26th in population). Average employment per plant in Kentucky is 58. Nationally, the range is 147 in Georgia to less than 10 in Idaho. The wider sector, “Electric generation, transmission and distribution” employees 5,300 in Kentucky, 0.2% of state total jobs. But the ‘job multiplier’ for electric utilities is relatively high, at 2.95. Only auto manufacturing has both more employees and a higher job multiplier. Kentucky appears to still have relatively low average electricity rates for industrial customers, as well as residential. Kentucky ranks near the top of states in terms of electricity usage per manufacturing employee, reflecting our historical competiveness for energy-intensive industries (aluminum, steel, refining, paper, fertilizer, plastics….).
From Memphis Light, Gas and Power Division, “2013 Utility Bill Comparisons”
Mining locations are resource-dependent, but most of the manufacturing operations have many location options. Kentucky has a significant presence in all the rest….