Electricity can be generated in a number of different ways, with different impacts on the environment. Information about the sources of energy used by Pacific Power in Washington and definitions of various energy sources follows:

Power Content

Fuel mix definitions

• Biomass generation is from burning solid organic fuels from wood, forest or field residue, or dedicated energy crops.
• Coal generation uses coal as the primary fuel source.
• Hydroelectric generation is created when water flows from a higher elevation to a lower elevation, and the flow is converted to electricity.
• Landfill gas uses waste gases produced from the decomposition of organic materials to produce electricity.
• Natural gas generation uses natural gas as the primary fuel source.
• Nuclear generation uses a controlled atomic chain reaction to produce heat. The heat is used to make steam that then runs conventional turbine generators.
• Petroleum generation burns oil as a primary fuel source. 
• Waste incineration burns solid or liquid wastes from businesses, households, municipalities or waste treatment operations.

*Percentages are estimated annually by the State of Wasington Department of Community, Trade and Economic Development  based on the electricity sold to Washington consumers during the previous year.

**Special purchases such as Blue Sky are not included in the net system mix.

updated 03/09