Energy intensity is the ratio of energy input per unit of economic output, or the amount of energy used to produce a dollar's worth of goods and services. This measures the energy efficiency of the state's economy.
From 1997 to 2020, the State's gross domestic product (GDP) increased 66 percent from $70.7 billion to $117.7 billion, while Nebraska's overall energy consumption grew 31 percent from 658.0 trillion British thermal units (Btu) in 1997 to 863.7 trillion Btu in 2020. Energy intensity was 7.3 thousand Btu per chained (2012) dollar in 2020, which was a 22–percent decrease from 9.3 thousand Btu per chained (2012) dollar in 1997.
A 31–percent increase in Nebraska's total energy consumption resulted in a 66–percent increase of the GDP and a 22–percent decrease in energy intensity. In other words, despite an increase in energy consumption, Nebraska experienced a larger increase in the production of real value in goods and services, which lowered Nebraska's energy intensity. (Using less energy to produce a product reduced the intensity.) This indicates that Nebraskans are using energy more efficiently.
Another measure of energy consumption intensity is reported in Total Energy Consumption Per Capita. An explanation of energy intensity indicators is in the report Energy Intensity Indicators.
The phrase "Gross Domestic Product" is replacing the phrase "Gross State Product." Gross domestic product by state is the state counterpart of the nation's gross domestic product, the U.S. Census Bureau's featured and most comprehensive measure of U.S. economic activity. Gross domestic product by state is derived as the sum of the gross domestic product originating in all the industries in a state.
