20 states improved in this version of ACEEE's State Energy Efficiency Scorecard
WASHINGTON — Energy-efficiency measures continue to flourish in states across the country with several states, including California; Maryland; Illinois; Texas; and Washington, District of Columbia, taking major steps. That progress was evident in the ninth annual edition of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE’s) State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, which is issued annually with the support of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).
The top 10 states for energy efficiency are Massachusetts, California, Vermont, Rhode Island, Oregon, Connecticut, Maryland, Washington, and New York, with Minnesota and Illinois tied for 10th place. Massachusetts retains the top spot for the fifth consecutive year, based on a strong commitment to energy efficiency under its Green Communities Act. In California, requirements for reductions in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, major efforts to achieve energy efficiency in schools, and implementation of a cap-and-trade program earned the state several more points this year, putting it only a half point behind Massachusetts in the state rankings.