You are well aware of this, since banking and investing are at the forefront of the industries being transformed by computers and the Internet. Only electricity has the flexibility and precision to fuel this technological engine, and the need for electricity is increasing at a substantial rate. America's reliance on electricity has increased 60 percent since 1970, and some predict that the nation's electricity consumption will grow nearly 30 percent over the next 15 years. The leap to a digital economy is making the U.S. increasingly dependent on electricity. The demand is there, and is growing.
Price is important, but reliability is fast becoming an equal concern.
Just last summer, business and industry suffered huge losses and public safety was jeopardized during multiple blackouts in Chicago and New York City. I'd like to take a few minutes to tell you what we've done recently to make sure our customers have electricity when they need it. We were able to accomplish this outstanding record because of the hard work and dedication of our employees, who take great pride in the excellent operation of our system. All five of TVA's nuclear reactors have received the prestigious INPO 1 rating for excellence, making TVA the nation's only utility with five reactors to achieve these results. Resource Data International gave TVA's Cumberland Fossil Plant a five-star rating based on the plant's performance in a number of operational areas.