by Brianna Crandall — May 6, 2013—The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) has launched a comprehensive, publicly available online view of the U.S. government’s national and state energy data and information that can help building owners and FMs research the viability of various types of renewable energy in their area, or compare prices.
The agency designed the new State Profiles and Energy Estimates portal with a range of users in mind, including policy makers, energy analysts, and the general public, who want to locate and compare state energy data and rankings and customize their own maps and charts, using an assortment of interactive tools.
Users can view an array of energy facilities and resources, including information about renewable resource potential for wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal energy. In addition to customizable maps, the portal summarizes each state’s ranking of its energy production, consumption, prices, and more. The state energy portal adds a unique visual dimension to each state’s energy resources and infrastructure
The portal takes EIA’s vast, portfolio of state energy data and analyses and organizes it geographically. Its comprehensive 30-layer mapping feature provides a dynamic visual representation of energy infrastructure and energy resources at the national, state, Congressional district, or county level. Map layers for federal lands and electric reliability regions are also included.
Users can pan and zoom in to see energy facilities and resources related to:
- Production: power plants, oil refineries, and coal mines
- Distribution: electric transmission lines, natural gas pipelines, and liquefied natural gas import terminals
- Fossil fuel resources: coal, oil, and natural gas basins, plays, and fields
- Renewable energy resources: wind, solar, biomass, and geothermal potential