NH State Government Energy Management Efforts Avoid Over $45 Million in Energy Costs

Concord, NH – 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, state fiscal year (FY) 2005, according to the recently released 2020 Annual State Energy Report. As a result of the State’s energy management efforts between FY2009 and FY2020, the State has avoided over $45 million in energy costs. These avoided energy costs are dollars retained within the state’s economy and represent a monetary savings to New Hampshire’s taxpayers.

The Annual State Energy Report is produced annually in conjunction with the New Hampshire Department of Administrative Services’ State Energy Management Office (SEM), the New Hampshire 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.

The State of New Hampshire is one of the largest energy users in the state. Since FY2004, state staff have been documenting the State’s total building energy consumption and working to reduce both total energy use and the State’s reliance on fossil fuels. Despite significant fluctuation in energy prices since 2004, the State has managed to keep 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 these ambitious fossil-fuel reduction targets. The full State Annual Energy Report is available on the Department of Administrative Services website.