States that consume the most energy
The conservation effort to preserve Earth’s limited-water supply has been highly promoted for some time now, and it’s more likely than not that most people have been called upon at some point to take active measures to use less water. And while the desire to scale back water usage is vital in its own right, it has stolen some of the spotlight from what is arguably an equally pressing issue: excessive energy consumption. In the United States alone, approximately 97.7 quadrillion British thermal units (Btu) of primary energy was consumed in 2017, nearly 90% of which came across three major sectors: electric power, transportation, and industrial.
In seeking to discover the biggest offenders in America, Stacker used data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration in order to rank the states responsible for the highest per-capita energy consumption. The energy totals are measured in Btu, which is defined as, “the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of liquid water by 1 degree Fahrenheit at the temperature that water has its greatest density (approximately 39 degrees Fahrenheit).” Data is pulled from 2015, the year with the most recent available EIA data.
Read on to see how much better each state could be doing in terms of conserving energy, and consider whether there are tangible ways to contribute to saving the Earth’s limited-energy supply.
#51. New York
Total energy consumed per capita: 189 million Btu (#51 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $2,828 (#50 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 17.53 cents/kilowatt hour (kWh) (#9 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $12.06/thousand cubic ft (#12 highest in the U.S.)
#50. Rhode Island
Total energy consumed per capita: 192 million Btu (#50 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,406 (#35 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 20.22 cents/kWh (#5 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $14.83/thousand cubic ft (#5 highest in the U.S.)
#49. California
Total energy consumed per capita: 197 million Btu (#49 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,126 (#43 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 19.17 cents/kWh (#7 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $12.27/thousand cubic ft (#10 highest in the U.S.)
#48. Hawaii
Total energy consumed per capita: 198 million Btu (#48 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $4,001 (#17 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 32.05 cents/kWh (#1 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $42.16/thousand cubic ft (#1 highest in the U.S.)
#47. Florida (tie)
Total energy consumed per capita: 210 million Btu (#46 (tie) highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $2,796 (#51 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 11.75 cents/kWh (#30 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $19.96/thousand cubic ft (#2 highest in the U.S.)
#46. Connecticut (tie)
Total energy consumed per capita: 210 million Btu (#46 (tie) highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,657 (#23 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 21.04 cents/kWh (#4 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $12.76/thousand cubic ft (#9 highest in the U.S.)
#45. Arizona (tie)
Total energy consumed per capita: 211 million Btu (#44 (tie) highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $2,937 (#47 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 12.39 cents/kWh (#24 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $14.16/thousand cubic ft (#6 highest in the U.S.)
#44. Vermont (tie)
Total energy consumed per capita: 211 million Btu (#44 (tie) highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $4,273 (#9 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 17.60 cents/kWh (#8 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $12.93/thousand cubic ft (#8 highest in the U.S.)
#43. Massachusetts
Total energy consumed per capita: 213 million Btu (#43 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,514 (#32 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 22.49 cents/kWh (#2 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: n/a/thousand cubic ft (#45 highest in the U.S.)
#42. Nevada
Total energy consumed per capita: 225 million Btu (#42 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,122 (#44 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 12.62 cents/kWh (#22 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $8.24/thousand cubic ft (#31 highest in the U.S.)
#41. New Hampshire
Total energy consumed per capita: 229 million Btu (#41 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,934 (#19 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 19.93 cents/kWh (#6 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $15.51/thousand cubic ft (#4 highest in the U.S.)
#40. Maryland
Total energy consumed per capita: 233 million Btu (#40 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,241 (#40 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 12.97 cents/kWh (#16 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $9.79/thousand cubic ft (#24 highest in the U.S.)
#39. Oregon
Total energy consumed per capita: 238 million Btu (#39 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,144 (#42 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 10.74 cents/kWh (#42 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $9.85/thousand cubic ft (#23 highest in the U.S.)
#38. North Carolina
Total energy consumed per capita: 251 million Btu (#38 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,073 (#45 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 11.17 cents/kWh (#36 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $10.45/thousand cubic ft (#19 highest in the U.S.)
#37. New Jersey
Total energy consumed per capita: 256 million Btu (#37 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,485 (#33 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 15.41 cents/kWh (#12 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $8.76/thousand cubic ft (#30 highest in the U.S.)
#36. Utah
Total energy consumed per capita: 264 million Btu (#36 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $2,921 (#49 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 10.44 cents/kWh (#46 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: n/a/thousand cubic ft (#45 highest in the U.S.)
#35. Washington, D.C.
Total energy consumed per capita: 267 million Btu (#35 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,228 (#41 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 12.18 cents/kWh (#26 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $11.32/thousand cubic ft (#14 highest in the U.S.)
#34. Colorado
Total energy consumed per capita: 272 million Btu (#34 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $2,925 (#48 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 11.72 cents/kWh (#31 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $7.32/thousand cubic ft (#38 highest in the U.S.)
#33. Washington
Total energy consumed per capita: 278 million Btu (#33 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,044 (#46 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 9.65 cents/kWh (#50 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $9.93/thousand cubic ft (#22 highest in the U.S.)
#32. Michigan
Total energy consumed per capita: 279 million Btu (#32 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,350 (#36 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 15.55 cents/kWh (#11 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $7.59/thousand cubic ft (#36 highest in the U.S.)
#31. Georgia
Total energy consumed per capita: 280 million Btu (#31 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,273 (#39 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 11.33 cents/kWh (#35 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $13.08/thousand cubic ft (#7 highest in the U.S.)
#30. Virginia
Total energy consumed per capita: 283 million Btu (#30 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,288 (#38 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 11.71 cents/kWh (#32 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $9.42/thousand cubic ft (#26 highest in the U.S.)
#29. Delaware
Total energy consumed per capita: 294 million Btu (#29 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,625 (#24 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 12.38 cents/kWh (#25 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $11.64/thousand cubic ft (#13 highest in the U.S.)
#28. Missouri
Total energy consumed per capita: 301 million Btu (#28 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,595 (#28 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 10.48 cents/kWh (#44 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $9.43/thousand cubic ft (#25 highest in the U.S.)
#27. Pennsylvania
Total energy consumed per capita: 303 million Btu (#27 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,554 (#30 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 13.91 cents/kWh (#14 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $10.41/thousand cubic ft (#20 highest in the U.S.)
#26. Maine
Total energy consumed per capita: 305 million Btu (#26 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $4,565 (#5 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 15.61 cents/kWh (#10 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: n/a/thousand cubic ft (#45 highest in the U.S.)
#25. Illinois
Total energy consumed per capita: 307 million Btu (#25 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,289 (#37 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 12.73 cents/kWh (#18 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $7.25/thousand cubic ft (#42 highest in the U.S.)
#24. Wisconsin
Total energy consumed per capita: 308 million Btu (#24 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,594 (#29 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 14.41 cents/kWh (#13 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $7.32/thousand cubic ft (#38 highest in the U.S.)
#23. Idaho
Total energy consumed per capita: 317 million Btu (#23 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,619 (#26 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 9.99 cents/kWh (#48 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $7.08/thousand cubic ft (#43 highest in the U.S.)
#22. Ohio
Total energy consumed per capita: 322 million Btu (#22 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,604 (#27 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 12.55 cents/kWh (#23 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $7.31/thousand cubic ft (#40 highest in the U.S.)
#21. Minnesota
Total energy consumed per capita: 323 million Btu (#21 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,553 (#31 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 12.71 cents/kWh (#19 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: n/a/thousand cubic ft (#45 highest in the U.S.)
#20. New Mexico
Total energy consumed per capita: 325 million Btu (#20 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,432 (#34 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 12.67 cents/kWh (#20 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $7.31/thousand cubic ft (#40 highest in the U.S.)
#19. Tennessee
Total energy consumed per capita: 329 million Btu (#19 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,621 (#25 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 11.15 cents/kWh (#37 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $9.13/thousand cubic ft (#29 highest in the U.S.)
#18. South Carolina
Total energy consumed per capita: 337 million Btu (#18 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,763 (#21 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 12.97 cents/kWh (#16 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $10.69/thousand cubic ft (#18 highest in the U.S.)
#17. Arkansas
Total energy consumed per capita: 354 million Btu (#17 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,752 (#22 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 10.47 cents/kWh (#45 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $12.07/thousand cubic ft (#11 highest in the U.S.)
#16. Kansas
Total energy consumed per capita: 372 million Btu (#16 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,887 (#20 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 13.36 cents/kWh (#15 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $10.05/thousand cubic ft (#21 highest in the U.S.)
#15. Montana (tie)
Total energy consumed per capita: 379 million Btu (#14 (tie) highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $4,202 (#13 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 10.84 cents/kWh (#40 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: n/a/thousand cubic ft (#45 highest in the U.S.)
#14. Mississippi (tie)
Total energy consumed per capita: 379 million Btu (#14 (tie) highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $4,230 (#11 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 12.04 cents/kWh (#29 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $10.85/thousand cubic ft (#16 highest in the U.S.)
#13. Kentucky
Total energy consumed per capita: 390 million Btu (#13 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $4,006 (#16 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 10.55 cents/kWh (#43 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $9.28/thousand cubic ft (#27 highest in the U.S.)
#12. Alabama
Total energy consumed per capita: 393 million Btu (#12 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $4,140 (#14 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 12.65 cents/kWh (#21 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $15.54/thousand cubic ft (#3 highest in the U.S.)
#11. Oklahoma
Total energy consumed per capita: 417 million Btu (#11 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $4,103 (#15 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 10.85 cents/kWh (#39 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $7.98/thousand cubic ft (#33 highest in the U.S.)
#10. West Virginia
Total energy consumed per capita: 421 million Btu (#10 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $3,958 (#18 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 11.43 cents/kWh (#34 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $9.18/thousand cubic ft (#28 highest in the U.S.)
#9. Indiana
Total energy consumed per capita: 430 million Btu (#9 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $4,209 (#12 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 12.13 cents/kWh (#27 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $7.53/thousand cubic ft (#37 highest in the U.S.)
#8. South Dakota
Total energy consumed per capita: 447 million Btu (#8 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $4,499 (#6 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 10.84 cents/kWh (#40 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: n/a/thousand cubic ft (#45 highest in the U.S.)
#7. Nebraska
Total energy consumed per capita: 450 million Btu (#7 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $4,326 (#8 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 10.25 cents/kWh (#47 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $7.77/thousand cubic ft (#35 highest in the U.S.)
#6. Texas
Total energy consumed per capita: 470 million Btu (#6 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $4,234 (#10 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 11.58 cents/kWh (#33 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $11.27/thousand cubic ft (#15 highest in the U.S.)
#5. Iowa
Total energy consumed per capita: 479 million Btu (#5 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $4,465 (#7 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 12.05 cents/kWh (#28 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $8.13/thousand cubic ft (#32 highest in the U.S.)
#4. North Dakota
Total energy consumed per capita: 803 million Btu (#4 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $7,248 (#3 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 9.65 cents/kWh (#50 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $6.09/thousand cubic ft (#44 highest in the U.S.)
#3. Alaska
Total energy consumed per capita: 840 million Btu (#3 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $7,487 (#1 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 21.47 cents/kWh (#3 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $10.77/thousand cubic ft (#17 highest in the U.S.)
#2. Wyoming
Total energy consumed per capita: 893 million Btu (#2 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $7,468 (#2 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 11.05 cents/kWh (#38 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: $7.87/thousand cubic ft (#34 highest in the U.S.)
#1. Louisiana
Total energy consumed per capita: 912 million Btu (#1 highest in the U.S.)
Total energy expenditures per capita: $6,540 (#4 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential electricity retail price: 9.79 cents/kWh (#49 highest in the U.S.)
Average residential natural gas price: n/a/thousand cubic ft (#45 highest in the U.S.)
