Boston at night. (Credit: Flickr @ lehcar1477 http://www.flickr.com/photos/lehcar1477/) For the third consecutive year now, Massachusetts topped the annual State Energy Efficiency Scorecard released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). The other states ranked in the top 10 are California, New York, Oregon, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, Maryland, and Illinois.
Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island are the leading states in the utility-sector energy efficiency programs and policies category. Illinois made its first appearance in the top 10 this year, reaping the benefits of increased energy savings called for in the state’s energy efficiency resource standard.
The seventh edition of the State Scorecard ranks states on their energy efficiency policy and program efforts, and provides recommendations for ways that states can improve their energy efficiency performance in a variety of policy areas. The State Scorecard report serves as a benchmark for state efforts on energy efficiency policies and programs each year, encouraging states to strengthen their efficiency commitments as a pragmatic and effective strategy for promoting economic growth, securing environmental benefits, and increasing their communities’ resilience in the face of uncertain energy costs and supplies.
To find out more details on each state’s use of mass transit, renewables, recycling, water quality, air quality, gas, and CO2, you can explore our interactive “How green is my state?” infographic.
