Electricity is one of the essential energy sources that run the United States.
This energy segment includes firms that are involved in the generation, transmission, and distribution of electric power. And throughout this segment, there are a wide variety of interesting, challenging, and good paying jobs and careers.
Electric utility companies operate power plants that use highly pressurized steam, or other forces - such as falling water - to spin the blades of a turbine that is attached to an electric generator. High voltage transmission lines then transport this electricity to regional and local distribution centers, where the voltage is reduced and then transmitted to homes, schools, factories and businesses.
Coal is the dominant fuel used to generate steam in electric power plants, followed by natural gas, petroleum, nuclear power, and other energy sources including renewable sources (geothermal, wind, wave, and solar energy).
Electric power industry pulls together, uses, and integrates each of the other major energy sectors within the U.S. economy - mining, nuclear, oil & natural gas, and renewable sources.
As the electric power needs of the Nation continue to grow, this industry is going to require hundreds of thousands of new and replacement workers. Engineers, utility technicians, lineworkers as well as managers, office staff and truck drivers - all will be needed.1
Two sites have information on electric power. We highlight the sites and the content we think you'll find useful as you explore your career options in this area of energy.
For a quick overview of what each site below offers, click the link.
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(Source: Utility Business Education Coalition and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
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