California Tops List of Most Energy-Efficient States; Idaho Most Improved
by Stacy Feldman - Oct 8th, 2008
in
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) has just handed out its annual energy efficiency rankings for the US states. Here are the top 10:
10. New Jersey
9. Wisconsin
7. Minnesota (tie)
7. Massachusetts (tie)
6. Washington
5. New York
4. Vermont
3. Connecticut
2. Oregon
1. California
Stats: California earned 40.5 total points, out of 50. Wyoming was dead last with zero. Idaho (number 13) earned "most improved." Wisconsin scored in the top ten (a first). Rhode Island was the most energy-efficient as a percentage of its total electrical sales -- achieving a savings of 1.23 percent.
More to the point: The US states, combined, spent two to three times more than the federal government did on energy efficiency -- the most common-sense and available solution to energy and climate change.
The report, The 2008 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard (pdf), rated and ranked state-action on model policies, programs and practices for 2006 (the latest data available). ACEEE scored the states in eight different policy sectors, which were then weighted based on their potential to deliver energy savings. They are:
- Utility-sector and public benefits efficiency programs and policies (20 points possible)
- Transportation and land use policies (6 points)
- Building energy codes (8 points)
- Combined heat and power (5 points)
- Appliance efficiency standards (4 points)
- Energy efficiency in public buildings and fleets (2 points)
- Research, development, and deployment (2 points)
- Financial incentives for efficient technologies (3 points)
On an absolute level, the total amount of state spending on efficiency was pretty small -- $1.6 billion in total in 2006. But it’s up from $1.45 billion in 2004. And let's be clear: the states are where all the action is. In 2008, even as the economy fizzles, state efforts to boost efficiency are booming.
Just imagine the possibilities of a long-term federal-state-private sector partnership that's determined to fully develop the efficiency resource.
ACEEE already has. Earlier this year, it released an analysis that found the whole nation could cost-effectively reduce energy consumption by an additional 25 to 30 percent or more over the course of the next 20 years.
The cost? About $700 billion. Such a national investment in the sector would spawn a US-based energy technology revolution. It would also ensure a zero-emissions, home-grown energy source that costs a third of new generation.
But we continue to wait. True, Congress passed the extension of the energy efficiency tax credits last week and increased the weatherization program by $250 million. It stuffed them inside the $700 billion bailout that will go to Wall Street.
Not even close to what's needed to bail in an energy-efficient and energy-secure America.
Related Stories
Energy Efficiency: America’s Best Kept Climate-Fighting Secret
Waking Up to Energy Efficiency: What Washington Can Learn from the States
Fed Partnership with States on Climate Law Would Slay Naysaying Dragons
Hello Congress! US Climate Action Is Firmly with Governors and States
An Optimistic Movie on American Leadership on Climate Solutions: Finally!
Renewable Portfolio Standards: America’s Clean Energy Savior
Bookmark/Search this post with:
improvement
i am very happy to see that the economy is boosting in the race of becoming energy efficient. At the moment i am doing an essay on how the world must be energy efficient in order for us human to continue living on Earth.
Post new comment