Northeast Dominates Top 10 List for Energy Efficiency Policies
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy today released the third edition of its State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, which scores and ranks states on the adoption and implementation of energy efficiency policies and programs. Six northeastern states made the top 10; the south is well represented in the bottom-10 list.
October 21, 2009
Energy efficiency reduces consumption to combat rising demand and create a hedge against rising energy prices. That's why many states consider efficiency the "first fuel" in plans to balance their energy portfolios.
In the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy ranking of all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the top 10 states are:
1. California
2. Massachusetts
3. Connecticut
4. Oregon
5. New York
6. Vermont
7. Washington
8. Minnesota
9. Rhode Island
10. Maine
The 10 states that "most need to improve" are (in alphabetical order) Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, West Virginia and Wyoming.
The ACEEE scorecard examines state energy efficiency policy in the utility sector, transportation, building energy codes, combined heat and power, initiatives, and appliance efficiency standards.
In 2009, energy efficiency has risen to a new level of recognition in the U.S. It is a core component of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) and is a resource that is increasingly being called upon at the state level.
Some states are adopting aggressive energy efficiency policies, increasing investments in efficiency programs, and improving efficiency in their own facilities and fleets. While some have been making strides for decades, others are just getting started, and too many others have yet to tap this energy resource.