Trystan Casey
The sources of electricity vary depending on where you live and the plan you choose. In the US, most electricity comes from natural gas, followed by fossil fuels, nuclear energy, and renewable energy sources. In New Jersey, zip code 08736, residents can choose from over 50 energy companies, including Jersey Central Power & Light and New Jersey Natural Gas, and compare prices to get the best deal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Zip code | 08736 |
| State | New Jersey |
| Utility company | The Department of Public Utilities (DPU) |
| Electricity provider | Not found |
| Electricity sources | Fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases), nuclear energy, renewable energy sources (hydroelectric power, biomass, solar, and wind power) |
| Electricity prices | Dependent on the type of plan, combination of power plants in the region, operation and maintenance costs of the local grid, supply and demand |
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What You'll Learn
Energy sources vary by state
Some states have deregulated their energy markets, allowing customers to choose their energy supplier, which can lead to lower prices and more competitive services. As of 2025, full electricity retail choice is available in 15 states, including Texas, Ohio, and Illinois. Over 20 states support natural gas choice, and a few allow residents to choose both electricity and gas providers.
The energy sources used in each state can vary due to several factors, including historical reasons, geographical differences, and climate. For example, Washington state has one of the lowest average electricity rates due to its heavy reliance on hydroelectric power, which accounted for 7% of the national energy mix in May. Hawaii, on the other hand, relies heavily on petroleum, which accounts for almost 70% of its energy production, while other states use very little.
The use of renewable energy sources is expected to continue growing, with solar being the fastest-growing energy source in the US since 2006, expanding at an average rate of 50% per year. Wind power has also been increasing, with a 23% average annual growth rate since 1998, and four states (Texas, Iowa, California, and Kansas) producing over half of the total wind power in the US in 2021.
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The electric grid brings power to the US
The US electric grid is a complex machine that powers the country and its economy. It is made up of over 7,300 power plants, nearly 160,000 miles of high-voltage power lines, and millions of miles of low-voltage power lines and distribution transformers, connecting 145 million customers throughout the country. The grid constantly balances the supply and demand for energy, powering everything from industry to household appliances.
The US electric grid dates back to 1882 when Thomas Edison unveiled the country's first power plant at the Pearl Street Station in lower Manhattan. While the grid has expanded from Edison's original fifty-nine customers to hundreds of millions of users, its basic structure has remained much the same. The electricity is generated at centralized power plants and decentralized units and is transported through a system of substations, transformers, transmission lines, and distribution lines that deliver electricity to the end user, the consumer.
The US electric grid is not a single grid but is instead divided into multiple wide-area synchronous grids. The Eastern Interconnection and the Western Interconnection are the largest. Three other regions include the Texas Interconnection, the Quebec Interconnection, and the Alaska Interconnection. Each region delivers power at a nominal 60 Hz frequency. The regions are not usually directly connected or synchronized with each other, but there exist some HVDC interconnectors.
The power sector in the US relies mainly on coal and natural gas to produce electricity. Fossil fuel-based power plants burning coal, oil, or natural gas create about 60 percent of the nation's power, while nuclear power accounts for nearly 20 percent. Renewable energy sources contribute to about 17 percent of US electricity production at utility-scale facilities. Of this share, 7.3 percent came from wind and 6.6 percent from hydropower.
In some states, like Texas, you can choose your electricity provider. In other states, like Georgia, you can choose your natural gas provider. And some states, like Pennsylvania and Massachusetts, allow residents to choose both electricity and natural gas providers.
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Energy choice in some states
In the United States, the utility company is responsible for delivering your energy, and the retail energy provider supplies your energy and determines the rate you pay for electricity or natural gas. While most addresses are still tied to a single distribution utility, the power itself can come from multiple retail suppliers.
As of 2025, full electricity retail choice is available in 15 states, including Texas, Ohio, Illinois, Connecticut, and Maryland. Over 20 states, including Georgia, Michigan, and New Jersey, support natural gas choice. A few states, such as Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, and Maryland, allow residents to shop for both electricity and natural gas providers.
In some states, the energy market is deregulated, allowing customers to choose their energy supplier. This leads to competition and often results in lower prices or value-added services. For example, in Pennsylvania, electricity choice is available for residential and non-residential consumers in several utility territories, including Citizens' Electric, Duquesne Light, and Pike County Light & Power. Natural gas choice is also available in multiple utility territories, such as Columbia Gas and Philadelphia Gas Works.
On the other hand, some states do not offer energy choice. For instance, in Wisconsin, there is no electricity choice, but natural gas choice is available for commercial and industrial consumers using more than 5,000 therms of natural gas per year in the Wisconsin Public Service utility territory.
It is important to note that the availability of energy choice can vary within a state, depending on the specific utility territory or customer type (residential, commercial, or industrial). To find out the specific energy choices available in your state or territory, it is recommended to contact your local utility company or state regulatory commission.
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Utility companies vs. energy providers
Utility companies and energy providers are two models of the energy sector, offering customers electricity. However, they have distinct roles and responsibilities in delivering energy to consumers.
A utility company is responsible for the infrastructure that delivers electricity to homes and businesses. This includes maintaining power lines, poles, meters, and the distribution network. They ensure electricity travels safely from power plants to consumers. In the US, utility companies are typically regulated by state and federal agencies, ensuring reliable service at fair prices.
On the other hand, an energy provider, also known as a retail electricity provider (REP), is the company consumers choose to buy their electricity from. They purchase electricity from power generators or, in deregulated markets, they may own their power plants. REPs offer various plans, rates, and contracts, providing consumers with more options and competitive prices.
In some states with deregulated energy markets, the distinction between utility companies and energy providers becomes important. In these states, customers can choose their energy provider, promoting competition and often resulting in lower prices and improved services. However, it can create confusion about which company to contact for different services. For example, in the event of a power outage, consumers should contact their utility company, as they are responsible for repairs and restoring electricity.
In summary, utility companies focus on the infrastructure and delivery of electricity, while energy providers are responsible for purchasing electricity and selling it to consumers, offering a range of plans and rates. The deregulation of energy markets has allowed consumers more choice in selecting their energy providers, creating a competitive landscape and empowering consumers in the energy sector.
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Finding your energy sources
If you have a recent electricity bill to hand, you can look for the item or section that says "electric supply charges" or "supply services", and the name of your electricity provider should be listed there. You may also be billed directly by the electricity provider. If you're renting, ask your landlord. Depending on the terms of your lease, you may be responsible for paying the electric bill.
If you don't have an electricity bill, you can search for your electricity provider online. Some utilities publish the mix of energy sources they draw from on their websites, saving you the step of having to call. If your utility company only distributes electricity, meaning it sells energy generated by separate companies, you might not be able to find out where the electricity comes from as easily. In this case, you can refer to this map from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to find out if your energy comes from a regional transmission organization (RTO) or an independent system operator (ISO).
In some states, you can choose your electricity provider. As of 2025, full electricity retail choice is available in 15 states, including Texas, Ohio, Illinois, Connecticut, and Maryland. Texas has two types of energy companies involved in power bills: Retail Electricity Providers (REPs) and TDUs. You can choose among many REPs to provide the kilowatt-hours you consume, but there is only one TDU in charge of the local grid. This means you can choose the kilowatt-hour price, but the delivery cost per kWh is set by your local TDU.
The source of your electricity has a significant impact on how much you pay for electricity and how much you contribute to climate change. Most electricity in the U.S. comes from natural gas, with about 60% of electricity generation in 2023 coming from fossil fuels such as coal, natural gas, and petroleum. However, renewable energy sources are not far behind, with utility-scale electricity generation at about 21% in 2023, and an additional 73.62 billion kWh of electricity generation from small-scale solar photovoltaic systems.
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Frequently asked questions
08736.
Jersey Central Power & Light, New Jersey Natural Gas, Oasis Energy, and Orange & Rockland Public Service Electricity & Gas are some of the providers that operate in this area.
Finding out how your electricity is generated can be as easy as researching your provider. Some utilities publish the mix of energy sources they draw from online. If your utility company only distributes electricity, you may not be able to find out as easily.
The three major categories of energy for electricity generation in the US are fossil fuels (coal, natural gas, and petroleum), nuclear energy, and renewable energy. Most electricity is generated with steam turbines that use fossil fuels, nuclear, biomass, geothermal, or solar thermal energy.
