Alabama Energy Summary
This page provides a summary of energy in Alabama. Here you will find an overview of energy consumption, listing of energy efficiency goals under the Energy Policy Act of 2005 (EPAct), a summary of the status of renewable energy and energy efficiency policies, and a list of political leaders and state agency administrators who shape energy policy for Alabama. You can link to the following subheadings on this page:
- Executive summary
- Economic and demographic facts that affect energy consumption
- Status of renewable energy and energy efficiency policies
Executive Summary
Total Energy Consumption per Capita 1980 - 2005 and EPAct Goal for Alabama
(million Btu)
Section 123 of EPAct requires states to set an energy conservation goal that is 25% below 1990 consumption. DOE is currently considering a per capita goal among other options.
Source: U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Energy Information Administration State Energy Price, Expenditure, and Consumption Estimates (SEDS) database. Note, that 2005 is the latest year for which state-by-state data is available.
Alabama produces about one-half the coal it consumes and produces significant amounts of natural gas offshore. The state has one of largest hydroelectric power infrastructures east of the Rocky Mountains.
Read a more complete energy summary for Alabama, including consumption and production statistics for fossil fuels on the DOE Energy Information Administration (EIA) Alabama Energy Profile.
| Total energy consumption per capita | 467 (million Btu) |
State rank | 7 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPAct per capita goal for 2012 | 314.9 (million Btu) |
State rank | 12 |
| Average annual increase in total energy consumption | 0.4% | State rank | 16 |
Electricity
Fuel Sources for Electric Power Generation
(trillion Btu)
Source: EIA SEDS Database.
| Annual growth of electricity consumption | 2.2% | State rank | 26 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity production from nonhydro renewable energy | 3,879 (million kWh) |
State rank | 5 |
Alabama has a traditional regulated market for electric power. The state is a large electricity consumer, especially in the industrial sector. Annual growth in electricity consumption is at 2.2% per year, which is the same as for the United States.
Alabama also ranks relatively high in renewable power generation. Most of this generation is from biomass in the wood products industry. Read more Alabama electric power and renewable energy statistics published by the DOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy.
Transportation
Motor Gasoline Consumption per Capita 1980 - 2005
(gallons)
Source: EIA SEDS Database.
Transportation accounts for 23% of all energy consumption in Alabama, which makes it the second largest energy-consuming sector of the state economy behind industry. The state does not produce ethanol or biodiesel, and ethanol consumption is below 1% of the total for the United States. You can find data about the consumption of alternative fuels in Alabama from the DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center.
| Motor gasoline consumption per capita | 582 (gallons) |
State rank | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethanol consumption | 41,220,253 (gallons) |
State rank | 34 |
| Number of alternative fuel stations | 66 | State rank | 44 |
| Population | 4,540,000 | State rank | 23 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent urban population | 67.7% | State rank | 31 |
| Annual population growth rate | 0.6% | State rank | 31 |
| Per capita personal income | $29,623 | State rank | 41 |
| Gross state product | $160,569 (million) |
State rank | 25 |
Economic and Demographic Facts that Affect Energy Consumption
The following statistics for Alabama put energy consumption into perspective in the context of the state economy and the size and growth of the population.
Status of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Policies
Alabama has the following state-level policies and incentives in place that support the development of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies. The links give detailed explanations of the policies and incentives published online by the Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency:
Building energy codes for energy efficiency
Alabama is a home-rule state, so energy codes fall under local jurisdiction. The state recommends local jurisdictions adopt and enforce the 2000 International Energy Conservation Code for residential buildings. State buildings must meet the Alabama Building Energy Conservation Code, which is based on the ASHRAE-IESNA 90.1–2001.
Grants for renewable energy
Alabama offers a biomass grant program of up to $75,000 in interest subsidy payments for loans to the commercial, industrial, schools, local government, state government and agricultural sectors.
Loans for energy efficiency
Alabama offers low-interest loans to local governments and schools in rural areas for energy efficiency improvements.
