Total electricity consumption in the United States is projected to decline by 0.5 percent in 2009, according to the Energy Information Administration's Short Term Energy Outlook released Jan. 13. The EIA also predicts an expected 3.6-percent decline in electricity sales to the industrial sector during due to economic conditions partially offset by slight growth in residential electricity sales. Total electricity consumption is expected to rebound in 2010 by 1.5 percent, driven by growth in the commercial and residential sectors.

A number of utilities that increased electricity rates last summer have begun reducing prices in response to fuel costs, which have fallen from last year’s peak levels. Other utilities are pursuing slight increases to cover the cost of upgrades to generation and transmission facilities. Overall, U.S. residential electricity prices are forecast to grow by 2.3 percent in 2009 and by 2.0 percent in 2010.