Projected Nationwide Energy and Capacity Savings from Peak-Load Pricing of Electricity in the Industrial Sector.

Estimates the savings in energy and capital costs in the United States that could be achieved by the sale of electricity under peak-load pricing. The authors assume that U.S. manufacturing firms would shift electrical usage to the degree observed in counterpart European industries where peak-load rates have long been in effect. They calculate that the savings in operating costs (e.g., fuel) alone would be between $0.4 and $l.8 billion per year, while the savings in capital and operating costs combined would be between $1.3 and $3.5 billion per year. The report concludes with a discussion of policies that would ease the transition to peak-load pricing. 21 pp. Ref.