Tuesday Open Line


The first electric power company in America, and perhaps the world, was formed on this date in 1879 in San Francisco. This was nearly four months before Thomas Edison successfully tested his practical incandescent light bulb, but there was no lack of customers, as the power supplied by the California Electric Light Company illuminated some three dozen arc lamps in downtown hotels and businesses. This electric supplier was the predecessor to the current Pacific Gas and Electric company. Today in the U.S., there are over 10,000 electric power distribution establishments, employing over a half-million workers. Utilities in general, including water, sewer and gas, employ around 650,000 workers, and have annual revenues of more than $530 billion. You can find more facts about America from the U.S. Census Bureau online at <www.census.gov>.