Massachusetts strips energy efficiency title from California

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For the first time in five years of evaluations, California lost the ranking of top state in energy efficiency to Massachusetts, according to the just released ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

Despite a lousy U.S. economy, anemic state budgets and Congress in do-nothing mode on a comprehensive energy policy, the momentum for increased efficiency hasn't slowed down in the states, according to the ACEEE Scorecard. Instead, total budgets for energy efficiency programs jumped to $4.5 billion in 2010, well over the $3.4 billion recorded in 2009.

"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 lead author of the report. "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."

States are evaluated in six energy efficiency policy areas: utility and public benefits programs and policies, transportation policies, building energy codes, combined heat and power, state government initiatives and appliance efficiency standards.

Following Massachusetts and California (which slipped to second place this year) in the top 10 rankings are: New York, Oregon, Vermont, Washington, Rhode Island, Minnesota, Connecticut and Maryland. Maryland made its first showing in the top 10 and also is listed as one of the six most improved states along with Michigan, Illinois, Nebraska, Alabama and Tennessee.

But as we all know, there can't be winners without losers. The states listed as most in need of improvement, starting at dead last in the rankings are: North Dakota, Wyoming, Mississippi, Kansas, Oklahoma, South Carolina, West Virginia, Missouri, Alabama (one of the most improved states) and South Dakota.

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