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 now increasingly aware of uncertain energy supplies and volatile energy prices.

2.  New Hampshire’s citizens and businesses spent $4.999 billion in 2006 for energy

• Fossil fuel and uranium purchases accounted for $3.92 billion, of which a least 75% left the State. 
• $52.7 million were spent in-State for biomass (wood and waste). 
• Retail electricity purchases cost $1.54 billion.

3.  We are using more energy

• A growing population requires more energy. New Hampshire’s population has grown by 77% since 1970; see population column in Table 1.
• Energy demand has also increased; see net energy consumption column in Table 1.

4.  We are paying much more for energy

What is a TBtu?

• Only five states pay more than New Hampshire does per unit of energy. Yet New Hampshire ranks near the middle (29th out of 50 states) in terms of how much the average resident spends for energy. This is because of our low per-capita energy consumption (47th out of 50 states), which may be due to the State’s relatively low proportion of heavy industry: Not having a great deal of energy - intensive heavy industry helps to reduce overall per-capita energy consumption.
• Only nine states have smaller populations than New Hampshire (41st out of 50 states). New Hampshire’s rank is the same as in the 2005 edition of New Hampshire Energy Facts, but per-capita energy consumption rank decreased from #45 in 2005 to #47 in 2006. If New Hampshire ranked #41 in energy consumption, we would be at the national average for energy consumed per person.  However, being #45 means that we used much less energy per person than the national average in 2005; and dropping to #47 means that we became even more energy - efficient in 2006.

6.  NEW HAMPSHIRE’S ENERGY SUPPLY

• New Hampshire has no in-State sources of fossil fuels (petroleum, propane, coal, natural gas) or uranium.
• Imported energy provided slightly more than 90% of the State’s gross energy inputs in 2006.
• 100% of the fossil fuel energy we used for transportation was imported.
• Since most of New Hampshire’s energy is imported, our supply is vulnerable to disruptions due to weather, price volatility, commodities markets dynamics, political unrest, and other factors beyond our control.  We are a small player in a complex global network.

7.  FOLLOW THE MONEY

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

• One Office of Energy and Planning (OEP) modeling exercise suggests that, on average, at least 75 cents of each dollar spent on petroleum products leaves the state.  Based on this model, a total of approximately $2.4 billion was exported in 2006.
• New Hampshire exported 45% of the electricity generated in-State, thereby helping to offset some of our overall energy costs.  Income from the sale of exported electricity recovers the cost of energy used to generate the electricity.
• Governor Lynch has committed the State to obtaining 25% of our energy from renewable sources by the year 2025. Increased use of in-State renewable energy resources can reduce the amount of money spent to import energy.

8. 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, largely untapped reservoir of potential energy efficiency savings. Energy efficiency activities circulate dollars in our local economy and reduce the consumer’s energy cost, even if the price per unit goes up.
• In recognition of this fact, Governor Lynch issued Executive Order #2005-4 to reduce State government energy consumption by 10%.

9. 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 (EIA)'s most recent (2006) State Energy System (SEDS) estimates. OEP will publish New Hampshire Energy Facts for 2007 as soon as possible after EIA publishes the estimates.

New Hampshire Energy Facts presents a selection of basic information and additional analyses 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.

10. TOPIC SECTIONS

 Adobe Acrobat Reader format. You can download a free reader from Adobe.