Energy Management Saves NH $45 Million

The State of New Hampshire has reduced its total annual building energy use by 7 percent and its building fossil-fuel use by 12 percent in comparison to the baseline year, the fiscal year (FY) 2005, according to a 2020 Annual State Energy Report. As a result of energy management efforts between FY2009 and FY2020, the state avoided spending more than $45 million in energy costs, which represents savings for NH taxpayers.

The Annual State Energy Report is produced annually in conjunction with the NH Department of Administrative Services’ State Energy Management Office (SEM), the Department of Environmental Services, and the Governor’s Office of Strategic Initiatives.

“Energy management is one of the ongoing success stories of state government. We continue to move to less costly, more efficient resources and use fewer of them each year, saving precious taxpayer dollars and continually improving the state’s footprint. The citizens of New Hampshire can be very proud of a dedicated cadre of state workers dedicated to pinching not just pennies but kilowatt-hours,” said Charlie Arlinghaus, commissioner of the Department of Administrative Services.

New Hampshire is one of the largest energy users in the state. Since FY2004, the state’s total building energy consumption has been documented, and efforts to reduce both total energy use and the state’s reliance on fossil fuels have been ongoing. Despite fluctuations in energy prices since 2004, NH has kept its total building energy costs relatively stable during that time frame. This was accomplished through a combination of energy efficiency projects, such as transitioning to LED lighting and more efficient equipment, and other energy management initiatives, including switching to lower-cost fossil-fuel resources, strategic electrification (e.g., heat pumps), and switching to renewable electric and thermal sources through the installation of solar panels and the construction of a thermal biomass facility.

“Reducing the state’s total energy consumption has positive public and environmental health benefits by lowering the emissions of smog-forming compounds and particle pollution, mercury and greenhouse gases. The reduction in these pollutants protects our most vulnerable populations, as well as our lakes, streams, and forests,” said Bob Scott, commissioner of the Department of Environmental Services.

Going forward, the State Energy Management Office expects to see additional reductions in building energy use and expenditures as energy management investments are implemented to meet ambitious fossil-fuel reduction targets. The full Energy Report is available on the Department of Administrative Services website.