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Massachusetts named most energy efficient state in US; South Carolina, Oklahoma, among the worst

A sluggish economy, tight state budgets, and a failure by Congress to adopt a comprehensive energy strategy have not slowed the growing momentum among US states toward increased energy efficiency, according to the latest scorecard compiled by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
Massachusetts named most energy efficient state in US; South Carolina, Oklahoma, among the worst

Released today with a press conference at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., the fifth edition of the annual ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, finds the state of Massachusetts in first place for the very first time.

California slips to the second spot, after having come in number one in the previous four editions in the scorecard. Rounding out the top 10 energy efficient states are New York, Oregon; Vermont; Washington State; Rhode Island; Minnesota, Connecticut; and Maryland, which is making its first appearance in the top 10 and is also one of the six most improved states in the 2011 ACEEE Scorecard.

Other states on the short list of the most improved are Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, Alabama, and Tennessee.

Making up the bottom of the list, starting with dead last, are: North Dakota; Wyoming; Mississippi; Kansas; Oklahoma; South Carolina; West Virginia; Missouri; Alabama (which, ironically, is also one of the top six most improved states); and South Dakota.

“Energy efficiency is America's abundant, untapped energy resource and the states continue to press forward to reap its economic and environmental benefits," said ACEEE Executive Director Steven Nadel.

"The message here is that energy efficiency is a pragmatic, bipartisan solution that political leaders from both sides of the aisle can support. As they have over the past decades, states continue to provide the leadership needed to forge an energy-efficient economy, which reduces energy costs, spurs job growth, and benefits the environment," Nadel continued.

Among the scorecard’s key findings:

  • Total budgets for electricity efficiency programs increased to $4.5 billion in 2010, up from $3.4 billion in 2009. Combined with natural gas program budgets of about $1 billion, total energy efficiency budgets in 2010 equal about $5.5 billion. Given the increasing regulatory commitments to energy efficiency, this growth will likely continue over the next decade.
  • Twenty-nine (29) states have either adopted or have made significant progress toward the adoption of the latest energy-saving building codes for homes and commercial properties -- up from twenty in 2010 and ten in 2009.
  • Twenty-four (24) states have adopted an Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS), which sets long-term energy savings targets and drives utility-sector investments in energy efficiency programs. States that adopted EERS policies in 2007 and 2008 are now realizing significant energy savings and moving ahead in the Scorecard rankings.
  • States continue to improve policies to reduce financial, technical, and regulatory barriers to adoption and deployment of combined heat and power (CHP) systems, which generate electricity and thermal energy in an integrated system. Tremendous potential remains for CHP, particularly in states with heavy industrial and manufacturing bases.
  • A group of leading states remains ahead of the curve in adopting policies to reduce vehicle miles traveled and promote the purchase and manufacture of efficient vehicles. A major gap exists, however, as over half the states have minimal or no policies to encourage efficiency in the transportation sector.

Basking in the state’s number one ranking, Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick exulted, "Thanks to our investments in innovation and infrastructure, Massachusetts is now leading the nation in energy efficiency".

"Through our Green Communities Act, we set aggressive goals and laid the foundation for greater investment in energy efficiency -- and now we are proud to be a model for the nation and world," Patrick said.

ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard presents a comprehensive ranking of the states based on an array of metrics that capture best practices and recognize leadership in energy efficiency policy and program implementation.

The Scorecard benchmarks progress and provides a roadmap for states to advance energy efficiency in the residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors.

"Clearly, 2011 has not been kind to our economy, but energy efficiency remains a growth sector that attracts investment and creates jobs," said Michael Sciortino, ACEEE senior policy analyst and the report's lead author.

"With even higher energy savings possible, we expect leading states to continue pushing the envelope next year and inspire those at the bottom of the rankings to embrace energy efficiency as a core strategy to gain a competitive advantage by generating cost-savings, promoting technological innovation, and stimulating growth," Sciortino said.

For additional information:

ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard
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