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 $5.335 billion in 2007 for energy

• Fossil fuel and uranium purchases accounted for $4.28 billion, of which OEP esstimates 80% left the State. 
• An estimated $72.3 million were spent in-State for biomass (wood and waste). 
• Retail electricity purchases cost $1.57 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 increased nearly as much; see net energy consumption column in Table 1.

4.  We are paying much more for energy

• Energy expenditures have increased over threefold (over 16-fold if not adjusted for inflation); see expenditures columns in Table 1.  Resource price increases, such as for crude petroleum, account for most of the growth in energy expenditures.

What is a TBtu?

• Only four states pay more than New Hampshire does per unit of energy. Yet New Hampshire ranks just below the median (at 30th 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 and 2007. If New Hampshire ranked #26 in per capita energy consumption, we would be at the national average. However, being #45 in 2005 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 2007.

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 2007.
• 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 $2.6 billion was exported to import petroleum products in 2007.
• New Hampshire exported 48% 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.

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 may reduce the consumer’s energy cost, even if the price per unit of energy increases.
• In recognition of energy efficiency’s potential for cost reduction, 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 (2007) State Energy Data System (SEDS) estimates. OEP will publish New Hampshire Energy Facts for 2008 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

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