All major sectors of California's economy show modest, steady growth over the last decade. Between 1995 and 2000, the state's electricity consumption overall, as well as its residential sector, grew 2.5 percent per year. This growth rate is not unusual for the state when compared to the historic record, and is moderate when viewed in the context of the growing population and economy.

Historically, wholesale power prices for Northern and Southern California tracked closely with one another, indicating minimal market differences between the two areas. However, after the shutdown of SONGS in early 2012, the relatively inexpensive nuclear generation produced by SONGS had to be replaced with power from more expensive sources. Consequently, since April 2012 Southern California power prices have persistently exceeded Northern California prices, with the spread averaging $4.15/MWh, or 12% of the Northern California price.

The efficiency of energy use in growing the U.S. economy has made dramatic improvements over the past 60 years.  Before the mid-1980s electrical energy usage grew faster than GDP growth but since then the relationship has reversed.  Projections by the U.S. EIA (U.S.

This hypothetical graph shows how daytime and nighttime temperature vary in the vicinity of a large city. Notice how daytime temperature is higher over heat-reflecting buildings and lower over a water body. The urban heat island effect causes cities to run warmer than surrounding rural areas, especially at night. Development produces heat islands by replacing vegetation, particularly forests, with pavement and other urban infrastructure.

Solar Installed Capacity 2011 (Global)

The lack of skills remains a major problem because technologies become increasingly sophisticated and some countries lack the technical and economic capacities. That threatens economic growth and social development.

Access to high-speed connections such as DSL and cable modems, represent a new dimension of digital divide. With the rapidity of technological change, very many people who thought yesterday have sufficient technological skills and now find themselves sidelined and  destabilized.

About a quarter of whites and a third of Asians have of broadband access at home, unlike the Mexicans who have the lowest rate.

Only one of out ten Mexican-Americans has a hi-speed connection at home.

In most countries the gender differences are usually smaller than other gaps. In the case of the US, the difference in the rate of users among men and women is almost irrelevant, only around 2%