|
|
| Fig. 1: Energy consumption per capita for all 50 states (including District of Columbia) plotted as a dependence on population density. [1,3,9] (Source: B. Knapp) |
As a general rule, energy consumption per capita is negatively correlated with population density, as illustrated in state-by-state data (see Fig. 1). [1] This is likely due, in part, to home types and their energy efficiencies, as well as energy transmission losses due to low population density and the commensurate energy infrastructure to deliver power. Furthermore, the ability to meet energy demands also decreases with population density, indicating that most states in the USA consume more energy than they independently produce (seeFig. 2). [1] This has the effect that high-density populations are more energy efficient but are unable to produce their power independently. This offset defines the energy infrastructure of the USA, where the majority populations are unable to provide the power that they consume.
Idaho represents a model state for studying the impact of energy-indebted communities, as one that produces far less than it consumes and has a high per capita energy consumption rate. [1] It produces only 27% of the energy that it consumes, relying on interstate energy markets, federal assistance, and Canadian imports of natural gas. [2] Despite having few fossil fuel resources, Idaho possesses a large capacity for renewable energy, having the 2nd largest share of renewable energy usage by percentage. [3] Nearly three-quarters of its electric energy production is derived from renewable resources, primarily from hydroelectric dams, which account for 47% of net electrical energy production in the state. [1,2]
 |
| Fig. 2: Consumption-to-production ratio for all 50 states (including District of Columbia) plotted as a dependence on population density. The dashed line represents a ratio of 1, where all states above the line consume more energy than they produce. [1,3,9] (Source: B. Knapp) |
As common with rural communities, the median household income in Idaho ($48,000) falls far below the national average ($55,7775). [1] Thus, low retail energy prices are necessary to maintain quality of living. Furthermore, due to its mountainous geography, Idaho experiences severe winter weather. This leads to large energy demands during winter months, with many households utilizing propane for home heating. [1] Remarkably, Idaho still maintains the fifth-lowest retail electricity rate, which is mostly due to the state's large share of cheap hydropower. [3]
As energy demands continue to rise and resources become depleted, the ability to locally source energy becomes paramount, especially for rural states like Idaho. The USA's energy debt has been continuously increasing since the 20th century, from a surplus in energy production in 1950 to producing less than 80% of the country's energy demands by the mid-2000s. [4] To this point, as coal power is made obsolete in the USA, some of the coal-burning plants in other states that supply energy to Idaho are slated for removal in the next 10 years. [1] In an effort to foster independent energy development, the governmental authority for the state's energy demands, the Idaho Governors Office of Energy and Mineral Resources, has initiated a low-interest loan program for independent energy projects at homes and businesses in Idaho. [5]
Given that hydropower is responsible for low energy prices in the state, it will become paramount that Idaho is able to repair aging dams, which also present possible hazards to low-lying communities. [5] Idaho must also confront the challenges of climate change, as droughts have limited annual snowpack and runoff, thus reducing water flow and its energy capacity for hydropower. [1] Interestingly, 62 percent of land in Idaho is federally owned, and some estimates have put the economic output from drilling on federal land in Idaho at 69 million USD, while producing nearly 1000 jobs. [7] In 2017, there was proposed (and withdrawn) legislation in Congress to relinquish control of federal lands to state governments, opening for the possibility that public lands could be appropriated for energy harvesting. [8] For the time being, those lands will remain protected, but desperation may drive mountainous states to abandon conservation in favor of additional energy resources.
© Benjamin Knapp. The author warrants that the work is the author's own and that Stanford University provided no input other than typesetting and referencing guidelines. The author grants permission to copy, distribute and display this work in unaltered form, with attribution to the author, for noncommercial purposes only. All other rights, including commercial rights, are reserved to the author.
[1] "State Consumption Estimtes: 1960 Through 2016," U.S. Energy Information Administration, "DOE/EIA-0214(2016), June 2018.
[2] "Idaho Energy Landscape," Idaho Governor's Office of Energy Resources, March 2018.
[3] "Electric Power Monthly," U.S. Energy Information Administration. February 2017.
[4] "Monthly Energy Review - May 2017," U.S. Energy Information Administration, "DOE/EIA-0035(2017/5), May 2017.
[5] H. Kennison, "As Rooftop Solar Becomes Popular, Idaho Power Considers Changing How It Charges Users," Twin Falls Times-News, 6 Nov 18
[6] R. Barker, "Oroville Dam threat in California Places Spotlight on Aging Idaho Dams and Oversight," Idaho Statesmen, 14 Feb 17.
[7] T. J. Considine, "The Economic Value of Energy Resources on Federal Lands in the Rocky Mountain Region," University of Wyoming, 24 Jun 13.
[8] B. Kramer, "Push to Turn Over Federal Lands to the States May be Losing Steam," Spokane Spokesman-Review, 5 Feb 17.
[9] "United States Summary: 2010 - Population and Housing Unit Counts," U.S. Census Bureau, September 2012.