Louisiana Energy Summary
This page provides a summary of energy in Louisiana. 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 Louisiana. 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 Louisiana
(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.
Louisiana is a major producer of petroleum and natural gas. Many of the large natural gas pipelines in the United States originate in Louisiana, and natural gas futures prices are based on the price at the Henry Hub in Erath, Louisiana.
Read a more complete energy summary for Louisiana, including consumption and production statistics for fossil fuels on the DOE Energy Information Administration (EIA) Louisiana Energy Profile.
| Total energy consumption per capita | 804 (million Btu) |
State rank | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPAct per capita goal for 2012 | 638.0 (million Btu) |
State rank | 3 |
| Average annual increase in total energy consumption | -0.3% | State rank | 42 |
Electricity
Fuel Sources for Electric Power Generation
(trillion Btu)
Source: EIA SEDS Database.
| Annual growth of electricity consumption | 1.5% | State rank | 44 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity production from nonhydro renewable energy | 2,817 (million kWh) |
State rank | 8 |
Louisiana has a traditional regulated market for electric power. Electricity consumption is growing at 1.5% per year, which is two-thirds of the national average. However, the population is growing at only 0.3% per year, which is one-third the national average. As a result, per capita electricity consumption is increasing rapidly.
Louisiana has substantial biomass and wind energy resources located offshore in the Gulf of Mexico. The state ranks sixth in production of electricity from biomass. Read more Louisiana 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 24% of all energy consumption in Louisiana, which makes it the second largest energy-consuming sector of the state economy, after industry. The state has almost no ethanol production or consumption and ranks last among states with alternative fuel stations. You can find data about the consumption of alternative fuels in Louisiana from the DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center.
| Motor gasoline consumption per capita | 531 (gallons) |
State rank | 16 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethanol consumption | 65,789,978 (gallons) |
State rank | 42 |
| Number of alternative fuel stations | 23 | State rank | 51 |
| Population | 4,496,000 | State rank | 24 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent urban population | 75.2% | State rank | 23 |
| Annual population growth rate | 0.3% | State rank | 45 |
| Per capita personal income | $24,664 | State rank | 51 |
| Gross state product | $193,138 (million) |
State rank | 24 |
Economic and Demographic Facts that Affect Energy Consumption
The following statistics for Louisiana 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
Louisiana 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
Louisiana’s uses the 2006 International Residential Code as the basis for its residential building energy code. The commercial building energy code is based on ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2004, and 2006 International Energy Conservation Code for buildings not covered by ASHRAE, and is mandatory statewide.
Corporate tax credits for renewable energy
Louisiana provides a 50% corporate tax credit for the purchase and installation of solar and wind energy systems.
Loans for energy efficiency
Louisiana homeowners can get a five-year loan to improve the energy efficiencies of their existing homes.
Personal tax credits for renewable energy
Louisiana provides a 50% personal tax credit for the purchase and installation of solar and wind energy systems.
Rebates for energy efficiency
The Home Energy Rebate Option Program is offered for residents to receive cash rebates for energy efficient improvements to existing homes.
State standards for public buildings for energy efficiency
Major facility projects funded by the state must be constructed and certified to exceed the requirements of the state energy code by at least 30% when such improvements prove to be cost effective in a life-cycle cost analysis.
