Mass Efficiency

According to a state-by-state ranking by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), the Bay State bests California as the nation’s most energy-efficient state for the first time in the five years the organization's annual scorecard has been in effect. The ACEEE grades states based on utility and public benefits programs, transportation policies, building energy codes, combined heat and power, state government initiatives, and appliance efficiency standards.

Says ACEEE: “A new, diverse set of states has followed a group of leading states by adopting significant energy efficiency policies, which will lead to innovative and effective programs.” According to USAToday, “California takes second place, followed by New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Connecticut and Maryland, which made its first appearance in the top 10 and is one of the six most improved states." On the other hand, “the 10 states most in need of improvement (from dead last to #42) are: North Dakota; Wyoming; Mississippi; Kansas; Oklahoma; South Carolina; West Virginia; Missouri; Alabama (also one of the top six most improved states); and South Dakota.”

-- Reed McManus

Image: American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy