Over the past few years, many organizations have conducted analytical studies to determine which states use or consume the most energy, and why. In fact, in 2013, the U.S. Energy Information Administration presented data pertaining to many different factors to come up with how each state ranked in terms of its energy consumption. This organization continues to update this information today.
When you review the collected data, it becomes clear that there are several factors or reasons why a particular state will reach the top of the energy consumption list. These reasons might surprise you and include,
Energy Production – Many of the states that consume the most energy are also home to the production of a lot of different types of energy such as, coal, natural gas and hydroelectricity. It also requires a massive amount of energy usage in order for a state to produce and manufacture energy. If a state has a overall high energy consumption percentage within the industry sector it truly helps to give it a boost towards the front of the list of states that use the most energy.
Cost of Energy – On average, states that produce the most energy typically charge the least for consuming energy. This holds true across the board between industrial, commercial, and residential energy users (for petroleum rates in particular).
Primary Industries – As mentioned above, states that produce and manufacture energy generally also consume the most energy due to the fact that it requires a lot of power to produce and manufacture that energy. States that also rely heavily on industries for economic development like, food processing, steel mills, and more, will also tend to earn a higher position on the list.
Residential VS. Commercial – While industrial energy consumption is one of the main reasons why a state will use more energy, residential consumption is also a determining factor. Overall, residential energy use across the United States comes in at 22.3%, beating commercial consumption by 3.9%.
The Top 10 States that Use the Most Energy
Below is a list of the top ten states that consume the most energy in America. Included are several important stats that also have an impact on the state’s overall rating. These stats refer to factors such as, consumption defined by energy type, consumption by sector, major energy type produced, and main sources of generated electricity.
10. Oklahoma
One of the top gas producing areas in the United States, Oklahoma also has five oil refineries that can produce more than 500,000 barrels each day.
Consumption by Energy Type (measured in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 335.9
Natural Gas: 682.3
Hydroelectric Power: 20.8
Consumption by Sector:
Industrial: 36.2%
Commercial: 15.9%
Residential: 19.9%
Transportation: 27.9%
Major Energy Type Produced in Oklahoma (in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 25.1
Natural Gas: 2446.1
Main Source of Generated Electricity (by thousand MWh):
Natural Gas-Fired: 2989
Coal-Fired: 1580
Hydroelectric: 419
9. Indiana
Indiana has a massive industrial sector. This sector includes aluminum, chemical, steel, glass and metal casting manufacturing, all of which consume more energy than residential and commercial sectors combined. The state is also a major producer of ethanol, producing over 1.2 billion gallons every year.
Consumption by Energy Type (measured in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 1198.6
Natural Gas: 680.1
Hydroelectric Power: 3.7
Consumption by Sector:
Industrial: 45.5%
Commercial: 13.3%
Residential: 19.7%
Transportation: 21.5%
Major Energy Type Produced in Indiana (in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 883.3
Natural Gas: 8.1
Biofuels: 126.1
Main Source of Generated Electricity (by thousand MWh):
Natural Gas-Fired: 1707
Coal-Fired: 6664
Hydroelectric: 43
8. South Dakota
In 2014, the price of electricity in South Dakota had a much lower average compared to the nation as a whole. This low rate helps to continue to contribute to the state’s overall consumption or use of energy. South Dakota also generates most of its electricity from hydroelectric power instead of oil or gas.
Consumption by Energy Type (measured in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 34.2
Natural Gas: 83.9
Hydroelectric Power: 38.8
Consumption by Sector:
Industrial: 39.7%
Commercial: 16.7%
Residential: 18.8%
Transportation: 24.7%
Major Energy Type Produced in South Dakota (in Trillion Btu):
Natural Gas: 16.8
Crude Oil: 10.7
Biofuels: 140.4
Main Source of Generated Electricity (by thousand MWh):
Natural Gas-Fired: 70
Coal-Fired: 236
Hydroelectric: 446
7. Nebraska
This state doesn’t produce nearly as much energy as some of the other states on this top ten list. However its residents do consume a lot of energy because of its reliance on food processing plants and chemical manufacturing. Due to its climate, the state is also investigating wind-powered energy options.
Consumption by Energy Type (measured in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 293
Natural Gas: 178.8
Nuclear Electric Power: 71.7
Hydroelectric Power: 10.7
Consumption by Sector:
Industrial: 42.5%
Commercial: 16.1%
Residential: 18.8%
Transportation: 22.3%
Major Energy Type Produced in Nebraska (in Trillion Btu):
Natural Gas: 1.1
Crude Oil: 16.3
Nuclear Electric Power: 71.7
Biofuels: 247.7
Main Source of Generated Electricity (by thousand MWh):
Natural Gas-Fired: 9
Coal-Fired: 2203
Nuclear: 970
Hydroelectric: 94
6. Texas
While the cost of energy in Texas isn’t as low as other states, its climate actually reduces the amount used in both residential and commercial sectors within the state. Despite this, Texas still ranks high on this list because of the production of both crude oil and natural gas. In 2015, Texan refineries were producing 5.1 million barrels of crude oil daily, and in 2014, natural gas helped to provide approximately 29% of production within the United States.
Consumption by Energy Type (measured in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 1597.4
Natural Gas: 4143.3
Nuclear Electric Power: 400.4
Hydroelectric Power: 4.6
Consumption by Sector:
Industrial: 49.7%
Commercial: 12.7%
Residential: 13.3%
Transportation: 24.3%
Major Energy Type Produced in Texas (in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 564.9
Natural Gas: 8782.2
Nuclear Electric Power: 400.4
Main Source of Generated Electricity (by thousand MWh):
Natural Gas-Fired: 18505
Coal-Fired: 8524
Nuclear: 3687
Hydroelectric: 185
5. Iowa
Both industry and residential communities within Iowa consume a large amount of ethanol. In fact, Iowa is the largest producer of this type of fuel in America.
Consumption by Energy Type (measured in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 402.4
Natural Gas: 302.5
Nuclear Electric Power: 55.6
Hydroelectric Power: 7.1
Consumption by Sector:
Industrial: 49.5%
Commercial: 14.1%
Residential: 16.6%
Transportation: 19.7%
Major Energy Type Produced in Iowa (in Trillion Btu):
Nuclear Electric Power: 55.6
Biofuels: 498.3
Other Renewable Energy: 176.6
Main Source of Generated Electricity (by thousand MWh):
Petroleum-Fired: 3
Natural Gas-Fired: 251
Coal-Fired: 2595
Nuclear: 452
Hydroelectric: 68
4. North Dakota
North Dakota is a big state with a small population. However, it ranks as number four on this list because of the amount of energy used to heat buildings during the cold winters, as well the high level of energy production and manufacturing throughout the state. For example, in 2014, North Dakota produced enough crude oil to make it the second largest producer in the country.
Consumption by Energy Type (measured in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 393.2
Natural Gas: 83.3
Hydroelectric Power: 17.7
Consumption by Sector:
Industrial: 50%
Commercial: 14.4%
Residential: 12.4%
Transportation: 23.3%
Major Energy Type Produced in North Dakota (in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 369.5
Natural Gas: 317.9
Crude Oil: 1820.6
Main Source of Generated Electricity (by thousand MWh):
Coal-Fired: 2641
Hydroelectric: 163
3. Alaska
The major source of revenue in Alaska is oil and the majority of the rural communities within this state need diesel to power their electric generators. The state also has a major geothermal power plant, making it one of only ten other states that have a plant of this kind.
Consumption by Energy Type (measured in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 14.8
Natural Gas: 333
Hydroelectric Power: 13.7
Consumption by Sector:
Industrial: 54.2%
Commercial: 10.1%
Residential: 7.9%
Transportation: 27.8%
Major Energy Type Produced in Alaska (in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 24.9
Natural Gas: 379.9
Crude Oil: 1090.1
Main Source of Generated Electricity (by thousand MWh):
Petroleum-Fired: 73
Natural Gas-Fired: 246
Coal-Fired: 66
Hydroelectric: 134
2. Louisiana
Louisiana’s Henry Hub is the exact spot where nine interstate and four intrastate pipelines interconnect. It provides access to major markets, and sets the benchmark price for natural gas trading. With its refineries and petrochemical plants, massive petroleum reserve facilities, and 19 petroleum refineries, it is clear that Louisiana is a powerhouse in the energy industry within the United States.
Consumption by Energy Type (measured in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 228.1
Natural Gas: 1499.1
Nuclear Electric Power: 177.2
Hydroelectric Power: 10
Consumption by Sector:
Industrial: 69.7%
Commercial: 6.4%
Residential: 8.2%
Transportation: 15.7%
Major Energy Type Produced in Louisiana (in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 38.1
Natural Gas: 2513.8
Crude Oil: 416.5
Nuclear Electric Power: 177.2
Main Source of Generated Electricity (by thousand MWh):
Natural Gas-Fired: 5821
Coal-Fired: 1074
Nuclear: 1059
1. Wyoming
For one of the least populated states in America, the fact that Wyoming comes in first place as the state that consumes the most energy might come as a bit of a shock! However, in 2013, Wyoming was responsible for producing 39% of all coal in America. The production of that much coal enabled Wyoming to provide energy to 33 states. During this time, Wyoming also had the lowest electricity price out of all 50 states. Both of these factors significantly contribute to helping this state land at the very top of our list.
Consumption by Energy Type (measured in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 520.7
Natural Gas: 156
Hydroelectric Power: 6.8
Consumption by Sector:
Industrial: 58.1%
Commercial: 11.7%
Residential: 9.1%
Transportation: 21.1%
Major Energy Type Produced in Wyoming (in Trillion Btu):
Coal: 6760.4
Natural Gas: 2055.2
Crude Oil: 367.1
Main Source of Generated Electricity (by thousand MWh):
Natural Gas-Fired: 61
Coal-Fired: 3864
