Pop Quiz

So you think you know about Alaska’s energy issues and energy use in general? Take our pop quiz below, and check back as we add new questions daily to test your energy IQ.

1) What uses more total energy in the U.S. – buildings or transportation?
Buildings! Buildings accounted for 39.9% of total energy use in 2008, according to the U.S. Department of Energy statistics. Transportation used only 28%.

2) What is the biggest source of renewable energy in use today in Alaska?
Hydropower is the largest supplier of energy currently. It provides 21% of Alaska’s electrical power.

3) 32 million barrels of oil is enough to supply world demand for how long?
About 9 hours. In 2010, global demand for oil averaged 87.8 million barrels/day, according to the International Energy Agency

4) Which two towns on the Iditarod Sled Dog Race trail are powered with wind power?
Nome and Unalakleet. Unalakleet has 6 Northwind100 turbines, which since November 2009 have kept the town from having to burn more than 100,000 gallons of diesel. Nome has 18 Entegrity EW-50 turbines installed on Banner Peak in 2008.  Learn more…

5) What is the average yearly energy savings of homes that have participated in the Alaska Home Energy Rebate Program?
Just over $1,500 (This figure from 2010 is based on a survey of 6,998 homes that had participated in the program).