chapter 3 electric utilities energy use north carolina s convert imported fuels hydropower and other sources of into electricity distribute it to residential commercial industrial customers throughout the state while recent problems in california have created concerns about reliability price stability supplied reliably with minimal operating our growing electronic age has experienced an exponential growth rate figure 1 shows utility sector nuclear assumed increasing share production 1980 coal maintained extended its historical dominance 1990 according table generated currently provides 60 total needs for power 36 hydroelectric plants supply 2 5 natural gas petroleum or less percentage electrical hydro 1960 71 4 0 26 1965 80 7 18 1970 84 9 1975 82 6
