Hawai'i had the highest energy costs for small businesses in the nation, according to an index produced by the Small Business & Entrepreneurship Council, a Virginia-based business advocacy group.

The report looked at costs for gasoline and electricity in each state and Washington, D.C. Hawai'i was second to Alaska in terms of gasoline, but outstripped other states by a wide margin when it came to electricity costs. Wyoming had the lowest energy costs in the ranking.

The council, based in Oakton, Va., said policy makers nationwide should look at making energy more affordable and abundant if they want to help small businesses survive the country's economic turmoil.