Molly Ayala
Scranton, Pennsylvania, also known as The Electric City, was one of the first cities in the United States to implement electric streetcars, earning its nickname in 1880 when electric lights were used throughout the city. The city's energy comes from natural gas, nuclear, coal, wind, solar, and hydroelectric sources. Natural gas is the largest source of electricity, providing 58% of Scranton's energy, followed by nuclear at 32%. With a deregulated energy market, residents of Scranton can choose their energy provider from a variety of companies offering different plans and contract lengths.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Scranton's nickname | Electric City |
| Reason for the nickname | First in the nation to have electric-powered streetcars and streetlights |
| Date of the nickname | 1880 |
| First electric lights | Arc lamps, followed by incandescent bulbs |
| Energy sources | Natural Gas, Nuclear, Coal, Wind, Solar, Hydroelectric |
| Largest energy source | Natural Gas (58%) |
| Second-largest energy source | Nuclear (32%) |
| Deregulated energy market | Yes |
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What You'll Learn
- Scranton's energy sources: natural gas, nuclear, coal, wind, solar, and hydroelectric
- The Electric City: Scranton's nickname since 1880
- The first electric lights: arc lamps, followed by incandescent bulbs
- The Scranton Electric Company: formed in 1900, consolidating most power plants
- The benefits of a deregulated energy market: choosing your energy provider
Scranton's energy sources: natural gas, nuclear, coal, wind, solar, and hydroelectric
Scranton, Pennsylvania, also known as the Electric City, has a long history as an industrial centre for iron and coal production. The city earned its nickname in 1880 when it became the first in the nation to have streetcars powered exclusively by the city's electricity.
Today, Scranton's energy comes from a mix of natural gas, nuclear, coal, wind, solar, and hydroelectric sources. Natural gas is the largest source of electricity, providing 58% of Scranton's energy. Nuclear power is the second-largest source, making up 32% of the city's energy. Coal, which was once the primary source of Scranton's industry, now provides only 5% of the city's energy.
Wind power accounts for 2% of Scranton's energy, and there are local wind turbine installers available for homeowners and businesses looking to harness wind energy. Solar power also provides 2% of the city's energy, and there are incentives in place to encourage residents to adopt solar power, such as the Pennsylvania solar renewable energy certificate (SREC) program. The Lackawanna Energy Center, located just outside Scranton, is a large natural gas combined-cycle electric generation facility that features a solar array on the roof, making the facility 60% more energy-efficient than similar conventional buildings.
Hydroelectric power provides the remaining 1% of Scranton's energy. The city's energy market is deregulated, allowing residents to choose their energy provider and plan based on their needs and preferences.
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The Electric City: Scranton's nickname since 1880
Scranton, Pennsylvania, earned its nickname, "The Electric City", in 1880 when it became the first city in the nation to have electric streetcars powered exclusively by the city's electricity. This came just months after Thomas Edison received his patent on the electric lightbulb. The city's first electric lights were installed at the Scranton steel mills and Dickson Works on Penn Avenue. From there, the use of electricity spread throughout the city, with local architect Arthur Frothingham promoting the use of electric street lights.
Scranton was a major centre for industry, mining, and rail transport in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was one of the first cities in the United States to implement electric streetcars, with the first electric streetcars introduced in 1886. The city's industrial output peaked during the 1930s and 1940s, particularly during World War II, but declined in the postwar period due to reduced demand for coal and changes in the energy sector.
Scranton's energy currently comes from a mix of sources, including natural gas, nuclear, coal, wind, solar, and hydroelectric power. Natural gas is the largest source of electricity, providing 58% of the city's energy, while nuclear power makes up 32%. Coal, which was once the main industry in Scranton, now provides only 5% of the city's energy.
Today, Scranton's history as an industrial centre is celebrated through various attractions, including the Scranton Iron Furnaces, the Steamtown National Historic Site, and the Electric City Trolley Museum. The city has also gained fame as the setting for the American version of the TV show "The Office", with actors visiting the area and participating in local parades. Scranton is also known for its vibrant performing arts scene, diverse cuisine, and outdoor sports and nature activities.
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The first electric lights: arc lamps, followed by incandescent bulbs
Scranton, Pennsylvania, earned its nickname, the Electric City, in 1880 when electric lights were used throughout the city, and it became the first in the nation to have streetcars powered exclusively by the city's electricity. The first electric lights used in Scranton were arc lamps, followed by incandescent bulbs.
The arc lamp was invented in the early 1800s by British chemist and inventor Humphry Davy. The device worked by sending an electric current through two carbon electrodes separated by an air gap. The heat vaporized the carbon at the tips of the electrodes, producing a bright light. Arc lamps burned up their carbon rods very quickly, expelled dangerous carbon monoxide, and produced tens of kilowatts, so they were only practical for lighting large areas. In the 1870s, arc lamps started to be widely used to light streets and large buildings.
Frenchman Victor Serrin designed the first self-starting and self-regulating arc lamp in the 1850s, and his popular design was adopted as the main choice for French lighthouses. However, arc lighting's stronghold on the market was soon replaced by the incandescent bulb.
The incandescent light bulb was first demonstrated in 1835 by James Bowman Lindsay at a public meeting in Dundee, Scotland. However, the incandescent bulb, or electric light, was later patented by Thomas Edison in 1879 and again in 1880. Before Edison, British inventors had demonstrated that electric light was possible with the arc lamp. After Edison patented the incandescent light bulb, scientists continued to make improvements over the next 40 years that reduced the cost and increased the efficiency of the bulb.
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The Scranton Electric Company: formed in 1900, consolidating most power plants
The Scranton Electric Company was formed in 1900, consolidating most of the city's power plants. The company was a significant player in the city's electricity sector, which had begun to take shape a few decades earlier.
Scranton, Pennsylvania, earned its nickname, "The Electric City," in 1880 when it became one of the first cities in the United States to implement electric streetcars and electric lights. The city's streets were illuminated by electric bulbs, with Lackawanna Avenue at night being a particularly notable example. This avenue was lit by numerous electric bulbs, earning it the nickname "The Great White Way."
The introduction of electricity in Scranton was driven by several innovative companies and individuals. The Scranton Gas & Water Company, led by W.W. Scranton, played a pivotal role in establishing the city's first electric power plant along the Lackawanna River. Additionally, local architect Arthur Frothingham is credited with promoting the use of electric street lights, which were first introduced as arch lamps and later replaced by incandescent bulbs.
In the early days of electricity in Scranton, multiple companies controlled the supply of electric power. The formation of the Scranton Electric Company in 1900 brought most of these power plants under a single entity. This consolidation marked a significant step towards streamlining the city's electricity supply and management. The company continued to expand under the leadership of Duncan T. Campbell, who managed to acquire control of all operating companies in the Lackawanna Valley between Pittston and Forest City.
The Scranton Electric Company's impact extended beyond just the consolidation of power plants. Under the leadership of Duncan T. Campbell, the company made significant strides in the development of electric power in the region. Their expansion into the Lackawanna Valley ensured a more comprehensive electricity supply network. However, it was later taken over by the American Gas & Electric Company, marking another phase in Scranton's electricity history.
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The benefits of a deregulated energy market: choosing your energy provider
Scranton, Pennsylvania, also known as "The Electric City", was one of the first cities in the United States to implement electric streetcars, earning its famous nickname in 1880. In the present day, residents of Scranton continue to benefit from a deregulated energy market, which allows them to choose their energy provider.
In a deregulated energy market, customers are not bound to a single local utility company and can choose from a range of retail electricity suppliers. This freedom of choice brings with it several advantages. Firstly, it introduces competition among suppliers, which helps to reduce energy prices and gives customers greater control over their supply costs. Secondly, it allows customers to choose a supplier that aligns with their values and ethics, including the ability to select a company that offers renewable energy options and carbon offsets to reduce their carbon footprint.
Deregulation also provides increased flexibility in contract structures, allowing customers to choose a plan that suits their needs and budget. For example, customers can select a contract with a variable length and switch between electricity and natural gas plans with ease. Additionally, in a deregulated market, there is an increased availability of renewable energy sources and green pricing programs, empowering customers to make decisions that benefit the environment.
Overall, the benefits of a deregulated energy market, such as the one in Scranton, include greater customer choice, increased competition, improved environmental outcomes, and enhanced flexibility. These advantages contribute to a more dynamic and responsive energy sector that empowers customers to make informed decisions about their energy supply.
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Frequently asked questions
Scranton earned its nickname in 1880 when it became the first city in the nation to have streetcars powered exclusively by the city's electricity.
The sources of electricity in Scranton are natural gas, nuclear, coal, wind, solar, and hydroelectric. Natural gas is the largest source of electricity, providing 58% of Scranton's energy.
The average electricity bill in Scranton is $258 per month.
Scranton's attractions that celebrate its heritage with electricity include the Electric City Trolley Museum, which preserves and operates pieces of Pennsylvania streetcar history, and the Steamtown National Historic Site, which showcases the history of railroads in the Northeast.
