It is a challenging time for organizations in the energy and utilities sector, with global conflicts, supply chain issues, government mandates, and environmental concerns churning the waters. The demands on their IT organizations are significant. What is it about the energy and utilities sector that makes it unique? In this report, we analyze the ways in which this sector differs from other sectors in terms of their IT spending characteristics. We conclude with recommendations for optimizing the IT budget within this sector. (10 pp., 2 fig.)