A stepwise approach

Any effort to understand a state’s energy situation can be a challenge.  The volume of data alone can seem overwhelming.  The numbered major points below offer a sequential, more gradual entry into a very large topic.

1.  Energy underlies all aspects of our lives, from household budgets to the state’s economy to our cherished environment.

• Past generations assumed that energy would be both available and affordable.
• We are increasingly aware of the uncertainties of energy supplies and painfully aware of rising energy costs.

2.  New Hampshire’s citizens and businesses spent over $4.58 billion in 2005 for energy.

• Fossil fuel and uranium purchases accounted for $3.85 billion, of which a least 75% left the state. 
• $27 million were spent in-state for biomass (wood). 
• Retail electricity purchases were $1.41billion.

3.  We are using more energy

• New Hampshire’s population is now 70 percent larger than it was in 1970.
• Energy use has increased by 80%, but energy expenditure has increased nearly threefold (over 14-fold if not adjusted for inflation).   Resource price increases account for most of the expenditure growth.

4.  How we compare with other States

• New Hampshire ranks eighth highest in average energy price, yet we rank 29th in average expenditure per person. This is because of our relatively low per-capita energy consumption (rank: 45th).
• New Hampshire’s ranking in population and energy consumption in 2005 were the same as in 1999.

5.  NEW HAMPSHIRE’S ENERGY SUPPLY

• New Hampshire has no in-state sources of fossil fuels (petroleum, propane, coal, natural gas) or uranium.
• Imported resources provided slightly more than 90% of the state’s energy in 2005.
• Essentially 100% of the energy we used for transportation was imported.
• Since most of New Hampshire’s energy is imported, our supply may be subject to disruptions due to weather, price volatility, political unrest, and other factors outside our control. We are a small player in a complex global network.

6.  FOLLOW THE MONEY

Much of the money spent for energy leaves the state, removing this potential growth stimulus from the state’s economy.

• One OEP modeling exercise suggests that approximately 84 cents of each dollar spent on diesel fuel and heating oil leaves the state.
• New Hampshire exports almost 50% of the electricity generated in-state, thereby helping to offset some of our overall energy costs.
• Governor Lynch has committed the state to obtaining 25% of our energy from renewable sources by the year 2025. (see http://www.governor.nh.gov/media/news/2006/082906energy.htm)

7. NEW HAMPSHIRE'S OWN ENERGY RESOURCES

• New Hampshire has abundant, underutilized renewable energy resources, such as biomass, geothermal, hydro, wind, wave, tidal and solar energy.
• Increased use of renewables can reduce our vulnerability to energy disruptions, create more jobs and retain more energy dollars in local economies.
• The least expensive energy is the energy we don't use. New Hampshire has a vast untapped reservoir of potential energy efficiency savings. Energy efficiency activities circulate dollars in our local economy and reduce the consumer's energy bill even if the cost per unit goes up.
• In recognition of this fact, Governor Lynch issued Executive Order #2005-4 to reduce state government energy consumption by 10%.

8. ENERGY INFORMATION

New Hampshire Energy Facts provides information and analysis that can assist consumers at all levels from individuals to state policy makers in creating an economically stable and environmentally sustainable future for the state and its citizens.

Most of the data presented herein are from the US Department of Energy's Energy Information Administration. This edition of New Hampshire Energy Facts is based on energy data for 2005. EIA expects to publish 2006 data at the end of November, 2008. The New Hampshire Office of Energy and Planning will publish the next edition of New Hampshire Energy Facts as soon as possible after the 2006 data can be processed.

New Hampshire Energy Facts presents a selection of basic information and additional analyses (out of an innumerable array) of likely interest to the general public and to policy makers. For the availability or feasibility of additional analyses, please contact us at: 603-271-2155. OEP welcomes questions, comments and recommendations for New Hampshire Energy Facts.

9. TOPIC SECTIONS

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