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:
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.
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