Washington Energy Summary
This page provides a summary of energy in Washington. 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 Washington. 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 Washington
(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.
Washington has few reserves of fossil fuels, but is the leading hydropower producer in the nation.
Read a more complete energy summary for Washington, including consumption and production statistics for fossil fuels on the DOE Energy Information Administration (EIA) Washington Energy Profile.
| Total energy consumption per capita | 328 (million Btu) |
State rank | 30 |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPAct per capita goal for 2012 | 317.5 (million Btu) |
State rank | 11 |
| Average annual increase in total energy consumption | -0.7% | State rank | 50 |
Electricity
Fuel Sources for Electric Power Generation
(trillion Btu)
Source: EIA SEDS Database.
| Annual growth of electricity consumption | 0.7% | State rank | 51 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity production from nonhydro renewable energy | 2,561 (million kWh) |
State rank | 10 |
Washington has a traditional regulated market for electric power. Electricity consumption is growing at 2.3% per year, which is slightly higher than the national average. However, the population is growing at 1.6% per year, which is much higher than the national average. As a result, per capita electricity consumption is growing more slowly than in many states.
Washington has some areas with good wind energy resources and ranks 24th in wind potential. The state ranks 10th among states with electricity generation from non-hydro renewable energy resources. Read more Washington 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 30% of all energy consumption in Washington, which makes it the largest energy-consuming sector of the state economy. You can find data about the consumption of alternative fuels in Washington from the DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center.
| Motor gasoline consumption per capita | 437 (gallons) |
State rank | 40 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ethanol consumption | 25,189,720 (gallons) |
State rank | 24 |
| Number of alternative fuel stations | 109 | State rank | 24 |
| Population | 6,271,000 | State rank | 14 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Percent urban population | 82.8% | State rank | 17 |
| Annual population growth rate | 1.6% | State rank | 10 |
| Per capita personal income | $35,479 | State rank | 17 |
| Gross state product | $293,531 (million) |
State rank | 14 |
Economic and Demographic Facts that Affect Energy Consumption
The following statistics for Washington 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
Washington 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
Washington’s mandatory residential building energy code exceeds the 2006 International Energy Conservation Code standards for most homes. The commercial building energy code is a state-developed code that meets the requirements of ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2004.
Renewable portfolio standard for renewable energy
Electric utilities that serve more than 25,000 customers in the State of Washington must obtain 15% of their electricity from new renewable resources by 2020 and undertake all cost-effective energy conservation.
State standards for public buildings for energy efficiency
Washington requires state agencies to adopt green building practices in the construction of all new buildings and in the renovation of existing buildings for which the cost of the project amounts to at least 60% of the building’s appraised value.
