Frequent Questions
- Q: How do I read my utility bill?
A: Each utility company's bill is unique; so the best way to find out how to read your particular utility company's bill is by checking its Web site. Please visit our About MEDA section for links to our member companies.
- Q: What's the difference between an investor-owned utility, an electric cooperative, and a municipal utility?
A: An investor-owned utility is a publicly traded utility regulated by the Missouri Public Service Commission. An electric cooperative is an unregulated member-owned business established to supply electricity to their member-owners. A municipal utility is any municipality owning and operating their own utility including water, electric, gas and/or wastewater.
- Q: What's a kilowatt hour?
A: The amount of electricity used to keep a 50-watt bulb burning for 20 hours.
- Q: What does the term "one pound" mean?
A: It's the amount of coal it takes to produce one kilowatt-hour of electricity.
- Q: What's a Btu?
A: A Btu is a British Thermal Unit. It refers to the amount of energy required to raise or lower the temperature of one pound of water one degree Fahrenheit. A kitchen match has about one Btu of energy. Adding a pot to hold the water will require the use of more matches.
- Q: How do Americans use electricity?
A: 11% goes for lighting, 15% for air conditioning, and 10% for heating. An estimated 14% is used by computers and Internet-related activities.
- Q: When did Thomas Alva Edison perfect the incandescent light bulb?
A; 1879, the year which marks the unofficial beginning of the world of electricity.
- Q: When did the first power plant open in the United States?
A: 1882. The Pearl Street Station began operating in New York City.
- Q: How does a electric system work?
A: Click here for an illustrated answer.
- Q: How does a gas system work?
A: Click here for an illustrated answer.
Important Terms
Important Energy-Related Terms
To help serve the citizens of Missouri and help with understanding energy-related terminology, MEDA has compiled a Glossary of Important Energy Terms for your reference.
Resource Links
Energy
- Department of Energy
- Energy Information Administration
- International Association for Energy Economics
- EIA's Energy in Brief
- Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy
- Renewable Resource Energy Maps
- Alternative Fuels Fueling Stations
- Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center: E85, Biomass, and Hydrogen Maps
Missouri State Government Links
- Missouri Public Service Commission
- Missouri State Emergency Management
- Missouri House of Representatives
- Missouri State Senate
United State Government Links
Public Presentations
(De)Regulations
The United States government influences the utility industry by passing legislation in Congress and by issuing orders from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). Here is a listing of important federal legislation and and year the legislation was passed.
1935 - Public Utility Holding Company Act (PUHCA)
Restricts ownership of an electric business by a non-utility company.
1978 - Natural Gas Policy Act
First step toward deregulation of natural gas prices.
1978 - Public Utility Regulatory Act
Beginning of competition for generation of electricity. Requires utilities to provide open access to transmission lines for use by independent power generators.
1985 - Open Gas Access (FERC Orders 436 through 636)
Direct 1992 access, disaggregation of integrated natural gas industry, and unbundling of products at the wholesale level.
1989 - Wellhead Decontrol Act
By 1993, had effected the end of all price controls on first sales of gas.
1992 - Energy Policy Act
Set the stage for competition in wholesale electricity generation.
1996 - Electricity Open Access (FERC Orders 888 and 889)
Order 888 opened up wholesale power sales to competition; Order 889 addressed transmission system fairness to all competitors as pertains to wholesale power transactions and created the OASIS system (see definition) in use today.