Generating capacity in US electric utilities: How is it used? How much is needed over the decade

This report addresses: how US generating capacity is used to supply today's consumers with electricity; whether new capacity planned over the next decade is enough to provide a secure supply of electricity; how delays and cancellations of planned capacity would result in higher electricity costs and threaten the security of electricity supply; and how today's decisions determine electricity supply for the next decade and beyond. It is concluded that there is not an electricity supply crisis currently, but there is a planning crisis. This conclusion is based on the following: existing capacity supplies current needs, but provides little room for economic growth; new capacity is planned to provide a secure supply of electricity for the demand projected by utilities; if demand is lower, planned capacity will reduce costs and, if demand is higher, planned capacity will not be adequate; planned capacity may not be realized.