New Analysis Shows New England and New York Can Achieve a Clean Energy Economy and Dramatically Reduce Carbon Pollution
Acadia Center’s EnergyVision 2030 Details How States Can Build on Clean Energy Efforts in Four Key Areas
BOSTON—In a new comprehensive analysis, Acadia Center—a non-profit, research and advocacy organization committed to advancing the clean energy future—demonstrates how seven states in the Northeast can spur use of market-ready technologies that empower consumers, control energy costs and advance economic growth while lowering carbon pollution.
Using detailed market data, EnergyVision 2030: Transitioning to a Low-Emissions Energy System shows that efforts by New York and New England to modernize their energy systems and expand clean energy resources are paying off—and by redoubling these efforts, Northeast states will be on the path to a low-carbon economic future and reduce carbon pollution emissions 45% by 2030.
“It’s never been clearer that state leadership is needed to capture the benefits of a clean energy future for residents,” noted Daniel Sosland, president of Acadia Center. “EnergyVision 2030 offers good news: Northeast states are in a position to create a truly modern, clean energy future and provide the economic, consumer and public health benefits associated with a clean energy system,” said Sosland. “The Northeast can exert national leadership in how to reduce pollution, advance consumer options and reinvest energy dollars in the local economy.”
EnergyVision 2030 shows that readily available products, from heat pumps to electric cars to solar panels, create the means for states to advance a consumer-friendly energy system by increasing adoption of clean energy technologies in four key areas—grid modernization, electric generation, buildings and transportation. In many cases, states already have the policy tools they need to increase adoption of these technologies; they must simply improve and accelerate existing mechanisms to achieve the goals set in EnergyVision 2030.
“EnergyVision 2030 presents a practical, “can-do” way forward. It is one of many paths states can choose to take, and provides a vision that states can follow with achievable changes in policy and regulation to secure their place as clean energy leaders,” said Jamie Howland, Director of Acadia’s Climate and Energy Analysis (CLEAN) Center.
EnergyVision 2030 describes exactly how much of each technology needs to be used to shift the energy system. States can support development of renewables by updating their renewable energy requirements to reflect the increased potential and competitive position of clean energy. For example, electric vehicles can grow from present levels to 17% of cars on the road, an average of 41% growth per year—a level certain states are already demonstrating is feasible, like Massachusetts, where electric vehicle sales grew 40% annually from 2014 to 2016.
EnergyVision 2030 can be viewed as an interactive website and in printable formats covering each key area of the energy system and focusing on goals for New York and New England separately and as a region. Access the website at 2030.acadiacenter.org. Acadia Center will hold a 15-minute press briefing today, May 9, at 11am in which we will present a summary of the report and give additional time to respond to questions. To sign up for the press briefing click here.
To request an interview, contact Krysia Wazny at 617-742-0054 x107 or kwazny@acadiacenter.org. Visuals related to the study can be accessed here.
Media Contacts:
Jamie Howland, Director, Acadia’s Climate and Energy Analysis (CLEAN) Center
jhowland@acadiacenter.org, 860-246-7121 x201
Krysia Wazny, Communications Director
kwazny@acadiacenter.org, 617-742-0054 x107
RI Public Utilities Commission Votes for Three-Year Energy Efficiency Targets
PROVIDENCE, RI – On April 27, 2017, the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved the Energy Efficiency and Resource Management Council’s (EERMC) 2018-2020 Energy Savings Targets for Rhode Island in order to help save consumers money on their utility bills and boost Rhode Island’s economy. The 2018-2020 Energy Savings Targets for electricity and natural gas were developed collaboratively by key stakeholders representing a wide range of consumer interests, including the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, the Office of Energy Resources, the EERMC, National Grid, Acadia Center, and People’s Power and Light.
Saving electricity and natural gas through energy efficiency reduces consumers’ energy bills, lowers the cost of doing business in the state, and reduces greenhouse gas emissions. The 2018-2020 Energy Savings Targets are designed to save over 580,000 megawatt-hours (MWh) of electricity and 1.2 million MMBTu of natural gas, an amount equivalent to the energy use of over 43,000 homes for one year. The electric savings targets peak in 2018 and decline slightly in the following years and the natural gas savings follow a modest increase over the same three years.
Rhode Island is a national leader in energy efficiency, earning top scores from the American Council on an Energy Efficient Economy year after year. In 2016, Rhode Island earned a perfect score for the state’s cost-effective energy efficiency policies and programs for the third year in a row by achieving annual electricity savings of close to 3% of retail sales. Despite facing among the most ambitious energy savings targets in the nation, National Grid has met or exceeded Rhode Island’s energy savings targets every year since 2013.
“Rhode Island is poised to continue its success thanks to strong and mature energy efficiency policies and programs that encourage energy efficiency and make it easier for residents and businesses to make smart energy decisions, including rebates, financing options, and technical assistance,” said Acadia Center Rhode Island Director Abigail Anthony. Dr. Anthony represents environmental interests on the state’s Energy Efficiency and Resource Management Council (EERMC), which provides independent input and oversight to National Grid’s electric and natural gas efficiency programs.
The 2018-2020 Energy Savings Targets are based on a quantitative analysis and evaluation of the opportunity for cost-effective energy savings in Rhode Islanders’ homes and businesses. This means that the financial benefits of the energy saved must be greater than the costs of saving it. The analysis considers the potential for existing and new technologies, innovations, and strategies to reduce energy use. National Grid will file a Three-Year Plan to achieve the newly approved energy savings targets with the Public Utilities Commission on September 1, 2017, and subsequently will file detailed annual energy efficiency plans and budgets each November for the Commission’s review and consideration.
Media Contacts:
Abigail Anthony, Director, Rhode Island Office
401-267-0600, aanythony@acadiacenter.org
Krysia Wazny, Communications Director
617-742-0054 x107, kwazny@acadiacenter.org
Federal rollbacks require states to lead the transition to a clean energy economy
BOSTON — Today’s announcement from the Trump Administration rolling back carbon pollution standards for power plants and weakening consideration of the societal costs of carbon pollution from the regulatory review process is the latest in a series of ill-informed actions that will damage the nation’s need to build a modern, less polluting and more consumer-friendly economic future. These actions by the Trump Administration underscore that Northeast states must act to protect existing climate policies and step up their commitments to address the threat of climate change.
“The Trump Administration is turning the nation’s back on the historic opportunity to build a clean energy future—a future that will modernize our energy system, offer consumers better value for their energy dollars and invest in state and local economies while taking the right steps to reduce climate pollution,” said Daniel Sosland, president of Acadia Center. “The Administration’s actions will increase pollution, damage public health and cost consumers more. Removing from federal decision making the impact carbon pollution has on society is a thinly-veiled attempt to make these backward decisions seem more economic. Leadership to safeguard consumers and the climate has now shifted to the states and cities, and Acadia Center is calling on states to respond by redoubling their commitments to a clean energy future and spurring market growth for clean power, energy efficiency and low polluting technologies.”
Northeast states have proven their leadership by implementing bipartisan climate and energy policies that enhance economic growth while cutting pollution. These state actions are now dramatically more important as the Trump Administration seeks to undermine environmental and climate protections. Key policies that states have put into place and must protect include:
- The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) cap and trade program, which has helped to reduce emissions from regional power plants 40% over 8 years of operation while raising $2.6 billion for states to reinvest in energy efficiency and consumer programs. Actual data shows that economic growth in the RGGI states exceeded other states. RGGI was implemented in response to federal inaction on climate change and provided a model for state-based policies at the heart of the Clean Power Plan pollution standards now being rejected by the Trump Administration.
- The Zero Emissions Vehicle (ZEV) agreement among Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, Vermont, Maryland, Oregon and California to put 3.3 million electric vehicles on the road by 2025. The ZEV program and decades of established leadership by California under the Clean Air Act may be the next target for federal rollbacks if EPA revokes the authority for California and thereby other states to adopt emissions standards more stringent than federal minimums.
- Cost-effective Energy Efficiency investment programs are leading the nation and delivering billions of dollars in energy cost savings, avoiding air pollution, and reducing strain on the grid. In the 6-state New England power grid alone, energy efficiency investments have improved the reliability of the grid and avoided nearly $500 million in consumer payments for unnecessary transmission infrastructure. ENERGY STAR, one of the core federal efficiency programs is targeted for elimination under the Trump Administration’s proposed federal budget.
- Renewable Energy development driven by state Renewable Portfolio Standards, solar policies, and coordinated procurement of several power plants worth of on- and offshore wind, solar and hydroelectricity is unlocking clean energy potential and helping to phase out dated fossil fuel options. Federal tax credits for renewable energy and continuing offshore wind leasing are critical to enabling clean energy deployment.
Additionally, Northeast states have made explicit commitments to address the threat of climate change. New England states have agreed to a 35%-45% reduction in carbon pollution by 2030, and cities and states in the region are signatories to a multi-national agreement to reduce climate pollution sufficiently by 2050 to limit global temperature increase to 2 degrees Celsius.
“There is broad public support for common-sense steps to rein in climate pollution,” said Peter Shattuck, Director of Acadia Center’s Clean Energy Initiative. “The elections didn’t halt climate change, but they created a void that must be filled by city, state and regional leadership on one of the greatest threats of our time.”
MEDIA CONTACTS:
Peter Shattuck, Director, Clean Energy Initiative
617-742-0054 x103, pshattuck@acadiacenter.org
Krysia Wazny, Communications Director
617-742-0054 x107, kwazny@acadiacenter.org
New Analysis Shows Outdated Rules Causing Utilities to Pursue High Priced Options; Eversource Rate Case More of the Same
BOSTON — New analysis from Acadia Center demonstrates that outdated financial incentives are driving expenditures on expensive and unnecessary utility infrastructure and inhibiting clean energy in the Northeast. Analysis of recent electric transmission and gas pipeline expansions demonstrates that utilities earn higher returns on these traditional expenditures than on local clean energy alternatives. The need to reform outdated incentives and change utility planning has come to stark relief in a rate case proposal from one of the region’s largest utilities. In it, Eversource proposes unprecedented returns on expenditures and electricity rates that inhibit clean energy while causing consumers to pay more than they should.
“Energy efficiency, community and rooftop solar, and smart energy management are revolutionizing the energy sector by offering clean, lower cost energy alternatives, but outdated incentive structures that provide high utility financial returns for old ways of doing business are standing in the way”, said Daniel Sosland, President of Acadia Center. “It’s time for the Commonwealth to seize the moment, save money for ratepayers and build a clean, lower carbon energy system.”
Acadia Center’s analysis Incentives for Change: Why Utilities Continue to Build and How Regulators Can Motivate Them to Modernize, shows through two examples of commonly financed energy projects — a transmission project in Maine and gas pipeline expansion in Connecticut — how utilities stand to earn far more from expensive, traditional infrastructure than from low cost clean energy alternatives.
“Under the current rules, it is impossible for consumers to have confidence that the millions of dollars we are all paying for energy infrastructure are the best choices for our environment and wallets,” said Abigail Anthony, Director of Acadia Center’s Grid Modernization Initiative. “The rules need to change to stimulate competition between traditional power plants, pipelines, and transmission and local solutions like solar, storage, and smart appliances.”
Utility financial incentives and grid planning rules are a part of Eversource’s rate case in Massachusetts. While advancing some important steps, too much of what Eversource proposes would undermine consumer control and clean energy incentives. On the positive side, Eversource proposes to “decouple” its revenue from electricity sales, which supports the Commonwealth’s efforts to ramp up energy efficiency. The company also proposes some potentially beneficial grid modernization investments, procurement of energy storage, and measures to help deploy more electric vehicle charging stations.
However, Eversource proposes other changes that exacerbate a regulatory structure that skews in favor of traditional projects over clean energy, including:
- Highest-in-the-region returns on equity of 10.5%, which would increase rewards for overbuild infrastructure rather than utilizing clean energy alternatives
- Automatic annual revenue increases of at least 3.5% (roughly $35 million) per year, rather than incentives to improve performance and achieve consumer and clean energy goals
- Higher fixed monthly charges and demand charges that reduce customer incentives to save or produce energy and disproportionately impact low income customers.
Additional information on proposals in Eversource’s rate case are available in Acadia Center’s summary analysis.
Contacts:
Abigail Anthony, Director, Grid Modernization Initiative
401.276.0600, aanthony@acadiacenter.org
Krysia Wazny, Communications Director
617.742.0054 x107, kwazny@acadiacenter.org
Massachusetts Legislature Passes Bill to Advance Electric Vehicles
BOSTON – Last night, the Massachusetts legislature passed a bill to support electric vehicles (EVs), helping to advance the Commonwealth’s goals of reducing climate pollution and promoting clean energy.
Daniel Sosland, President of Acadia Center, said, “Vehicle electrification and moving away from transportation that runs on dirty oil is crucial to attaining an energy future that offers consumers cleaner choices. Acadia Center is very pleased that the Massachusetts legislature has moved this bill forward and would like to thank leadership in the House and Senate as well as the original bill sponsors who have worked so hard to get this done.”
The bill contains a number of measures to help accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles, including:
- Permission for cities and towns to enforce EV-only parking
- Requirements for public access to public charging stations
- Amendments to building codes to facilitate EV charging
- Codification of an existing Department of Public Utilities order regarding utility proposals to invest in EV charging infrastructure
- Studies of key long-term issues: (1) electrification of the state fleet and (2) measures to achieve sustainable transportation funding
Peter Shattuck, Acadia Center’s Massachusetts Director, said “This bill will complement other steps that the Commonwealth has taken over the last few years to promote vehicle electrification, including the recent commitment by the Baker Administration of $14 million to the successful “MOR-EV” consumer rebate program. These steps are crucial for reducing GHG emissions from the transportation sector and build on steps to clean up the electric power sector and broader Massachusetts economy.”
Mark LeBel, Staff Attorney at Acadia Center, said: “The provision in this bill to allow utility investment in charging station infrastructure primarily codifies language from an existing Department of Public Utilities order. The specifics of utility proposals will be important to determine whether the three statutory criteria for approval are met. The proposals must be in the public interest, meet a need regarding the advancement of EVs, and must not hinder the development of a competitive EV charging market. To implement these criteria, allocation of costs to ratepayers must be justified by significant benefits, customer choice must be preserved, and the proper role of the utility must be carefully considered. These important issues are currently being debated across the country, and Acadia Center looks forward to participating in proceedings examining utility proposals in the near future.”
Contacts:
Mark LeBel, Staff Attorney, 617-742-0054 x104, mlebel@acadiacenter.org
Krysia Wazny, Communications Associate, 617-742-0054 x107, kwazny@acadiacenter.org
RI Public Utilities Commission Votes for Cost-Saving Energy Efficiency Plan
PROVIDENCE, RI – On December 20, 2016 the Rhode Island Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved the 2017 Energy Efficiency and System Reliability Plans for Rhode Island in order to help save consumers money on their utility bills and boost Rhode Island’s economy. This plan was developed collaboratively by key stakeholders representing a wide range of consumer interests, including the Division of Public Utilities and Carriers, the Office of Energy Resources, the Energy Efficiency and Resource Management Council, National Grid, Acadia Center, People’s Power and Light, and Emerald Cities Rhode Island.
In 2006, Rhode Island adopted a strategic and economic approach to investing in low cost energy efficiency to reduce consumers’ energy costs. In 2017, electricity from power plants like the Manchester Street Station in Providence will cost about 9.3 cents per kilowatt-hour, while the cost of eliminating wasted energy through efficiency improvements is about 5.79 cents per kilowatt-hour.
“Energy efficiency is an energy resource just like power from the coal and natural gas-fired power plants at Salem Harbor, Brayton Point, or Manchester Street. But energy efficiency is much cheaper, cleaner, and lower risk. In fact, the Public Utilities Commission’s decision to approve this plan is the best way to help customers save money,” said Acadia Center Rhode Island Director Abigail Anthony. Dr. Anthony represents environmental interests on the state’s Energy Efficiency and Resource Management Council (EERMC), which provides independent input and oversight to National Grid’s electric and natural gas efficiency programs.
Rhode Island’s energy efficiency programs help residents and businesses make energy efficient decisions by providing technical assistance and information coupled with financial incentives. For example, a residential electric or natural gas customer is eligible to receive a free home energy assessment during which the auditor will evaluate the lighting, insulation, appliance efficiency, and overall energy “fitness” of the home. The auditor will also inform the customer if she is eligible for financial incentives to help reduce the out-of-pocket cost of investing in energy efficient improvements, such as weatherization or new heating equipment. Loans are available to help homeowners and business owners with the up-front costs of efficiency upgrades.
These programs are proven and working for Rhode Island. The American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy ranked Rhode Island first in the nation for the state’s energy efficiency programs and policies. In addition to helping Rhode Islanders lower their utility bills, the state’s investments in low cost energy efficiency reduce the cost of doing business in the state, create jobs, and boost economic activity. The avoided spending on electricity and natural gas from the 2017 Energy Efficiency Plan will generate $314 million in economic benefits to Rhode Islanders. Rhode Island’s energy efficiency programs directly support 696 jobs across 1,009 firms, more than 79 percent of which are located in Rhode Island.
In 2014, The Division of Public Utilities–the state agency charged with watching out for consumer interests– commissioned the research firm Synapse Energy Economics to see what efficiency is really doing for our electric bills. Analysis of the 2017 Energy Efficiency Plan finds that the average residential consumer that undertakes energy efficiency actions will save 2% on her electric bill by replacing inefficient lighting and appliances and upgrading home insulation and weatherization. Factor in savings on natural gas or fuel oil use and total spending on energy is even lower. Additionally, small business customers, who are eligible for free energy audits, can save as much as 35% by installing high efficiency equipment and making recommended retrofits.
Contact:
Abigail Anthony, Rhode Island Director
401.474.8876, aanthony@acadiacenter.org
Krysia Wazny, Communications Associate
617.742.0054 x107, kwazny@acadiacenter.org
Connecticut Rules in Favor of Consumers and Clean Energy in Electric Rate Case
Hartford, Conn.– Acadia Center applauds the announcement today by the Public Utility Regulatory Authority (PURA) of its decision to dramatically lower the fixed charge for United Illuminating’s residential customers from $17.25 to $9.64. This 45% reduction represents a crucial step in implementing a new law enacted by the legislature last year to limit fixed charges, which customers pay monthly regardless of how much energy they use.
Bill Dornbos, Director of Acadia Center’s Connecticut Office, said, “Consumers everywhere prefer choice and control, and this lower monthly fixed charge will give customers substantially more control over their electric bills. The new rate design will also help promote energy efficiency and renewable energy, more closely aligning the state’s electric rate structure with its energy policy.”
By enacting this significant reduction, Connecticut brings UI’s fixed charge down to the levels of surrounding states and recognizes that high fixed charges run counter to consumer interests, leading the nation at a time when utilities around the country are petitioning for significantly higher fixed charges.
Acadia Center thanks the PURA, Office of Consumer Counsel, Attorney General’s Office, and the legislature for their contributions to bringing this relief to UI’s electric customers.
Contacts:
Bill Dornbos, Senior Attorney and Director, Connecticut Office
860-246-7121 x202, wdornbos@acadiacenter.org
Mark LeBel, Staff Attorney
617.742.0054 x104, mlebel@acadiacenter.org
RGGI Auction Prices Reflect Need for Program Reforms
BOSTON — Price declines in the latest Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) auction demonstrate the need to address an oversupply of allowances caused by faster-than-anticipated emissions declines. In the latest auction, all 14,791,315 available allowances were sold at a clearing price of $3.55, generating $52,509,168 in revenue for reinvestment. This brings the program’s total revenue to $2.64 billion-most of which has been used to fund energy efficiency and other consumer benefit programs. The Auction 34 clearing price is 22% lower than the previous auction and 53% lower than the clearing price from one year ago. This marks the lowest auction clearing price since December of 2013 and the least amount of auction revenue raised at a single auction since December of 2012.
“State leadership to combat climate change has never been more important,” said Acadia Center President, Daniel Sosland. “Low prices and declining emissions confirm that now is the time for RGGI states to strengthen the program and continue leading the nation on climate.”
“Declining RGGI prices are occurring alongside declining emissions,” said Jordan Stutt, Policy Analyst with Acadia Center. “Electric sector carbon emissions through the first three quarters of 2016 were 5% below the same period last year — the lowest emissions level in the program’s history, and this is poised to be the eighth consecutive year in which emissions fall below the RGGI cap.”
With the market oversupplied, the ongoing 2016 Program Review offers the states an opportunity to make necessary reforms. “We now have eight years of experience demonstrating that the electric sector can achieve ambitious emissions reductions at low costs; it’s time for that experience to be reflected in ambitious reforms,” said Peter Shattuck, Director of Acadia Center’s Clean Energy Initiative. “The states must use the Program Review to establish more stringent cap levels through 2030 and to implement program design elements that account for the continuing decline in emissions.”
Information on RGGI’s performance to date and necessary reforms through the 2016 Program Review are described in Acadia Center’s recent RGGI Status Report:
Additional information on the benefits of RGGI can be found at https://www.cleanenergyeconomy.us/
RGGI Overview:
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the first mandatory, market-based effort in the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nine northeastern and mid-Atlantic states reduce CO2 emissions by setting an overall limit on emissions “allowances,” which permit power plants to dispose of CO2 in the atmosphere. States sell allowances through auctions and invest proceeds in consumer benefit programs: energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other programs.
The official RGGI web site is: www.rggi.org
States Considering Future of Northeast Climate Program
BOSTON — Nine states in the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) will be hosting a webinar today to discuss the future of the eight-year cooperative effort to reduce power plant carbon pollution. Materials that will be discussed during the webinar indicate that states will take the important step of establishing emissions limits through 2030, but the ambition and scope of new rules remains unresolved.
“RGGI’s success shows that states can and should lead on climate,” said Acadia Center President Daniel Sosland. Acadia Center’s July 2016 report Measuring Success shows that states in RGGI have experienced 3.6% more economic growth than states that have yet to act on climate, even as emissions have declined 16% more in RGGI states than in other states.
The core decision about RGGI’s future centers on the cap level — the overall limit on carbon pollution — and states are describing two options on today’s webinar: a cap that continues the current 2.5% annual decline, and a more ambitious cap that declines by 3.5% annually.
In addition to potential cap levels, the RGGI states will be discussing possible changes to other program design elements including accounting for banked and surplus emissions allowances and price controls. “These program designs will be crucial to ensuring that the RGGI cap achieves necessary reduction targets and avoids being burdened by a glut of allowances leading to insignificant carbon prices,” said Jordan Stutt, Policy Analyst in Acadia Center’s Clean Energy Initiative. “Improvements to existing design elements and the establishment of a strong emissions containment reserve will show that the RGGI states are committed to improving—not just maintaining—their model program.”
“State action on climate is now more important than ever,” said Peter Shattuck, Director of Acadia Center’s Clean Energy Initiative. “During the hottest year on record and with federal action uncertain, building on RGGI’s success is vital. Establishing ambitious targets through 2030 will show the country and the world that the RGGI states intend to remain at the forefront of climate action.”
Information on RGGI’s performance to date and necessary reforms through the 2016 Program Review are described in Acadia Center’s recent RGGI Status Report:
Additional information on the benefits of RGGI can be found at https://www.cleanenergyeconomy.us/
RGGI Overview:
The Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) is the first mandatory, market-based effort in the United States to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nine northeastern and mid-Atlantic states reduce CO2 emissions by setting an overall limit on emissions “allowances,” which permit power plants to dispose of CO2 in the atmosphere. States sell allowances through auctions and invest proceeds in consumer benefit programs: energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other programs.
The official RGGI website is: www.rggi.org
On Energy Efficiency Day, Acadia Center Celebrates New England’s Success
BOSTON – On this day, the first nationwide Energy Efficiency Day, Acadia Center commends New England its recent recognition for a long history of accomplishments in energy efficiency. New England states are among the most highly ranked in the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) 2016 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard released last week, and recent action at the policy level promises to increase the region’s contribution to national energy efficiency savings.
“New England has become a leader in energy efficiency by implementing strong policies that work for consumers and strengthen the economy while helping to meet climate goals,” said Jamie Howland, Director of the Energy Efficiency and Demand Side Initiative at Acadia Center. “Through energy efficiency, we can lower utility bills, improve public health, reduce pollution, and create jobs; Acadia Center is excited to see the states recognizing and embracing these opportunities.”
In the ACEEE rankings, Massachusetts took first place for the sixth year in a row, tying this year with California. Massachusetts has proven its continued commitment to energy efficiency under its Green Communities Act of 2008 by saving a large and growing percentage of energy every year through efficiency measures, and delivering over $14.8 billion in economic benefits and energy savings for ratepayers over the last six years.
Rhode Island took first place in the scorecard’s utility policy and programs category, ranking fourth overall. The state’s Least Cost Procurement law is primarily responsible for its continued leadership on energy efficiency. First implemented 9 years ago and extended for another 5 years last summer, the policy states that distribution companies cannot acquire new electric or natural gas supply until “all-cost effective” energy efficiency measures have been exhausted. As a result, since 2008, Rhode Island has invested over $558 million in energy efficiency and consumers have realized $2 billion in economic benefits.
Vermont also ranked highly on the scorecard at third, and Connecticut and New York tied for fifth. Maine tied for 11th, gaining further distinction as the “most improved” state.
Though New Hampshire ranked 21st on the ACEEE scorecard, the state has made a significant commitment to increase energy efficiency through recent policy action. In August, the state instituted its first energy efficiency targets, approving a settlement between the Public Utilities Commission and other stakeholders to create the Energy Efficiency Resource Standard (EERS). Until now, New Hampshire has been the only state in the region without statewide targets. With the EERS, it takes a historic step towards reducing energy costs for its citizens.
Acadia Center pioneered the energy efficiency stakeholder council model to assist with the development, implementation, and review of energy efficiency programs at the state level. Staff members currently hold appointed seats on energy efficiency advisory councils in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Acadia Center looks forward to continued work with businesses, utilities, regulators and others to make sure that programs meet their goals and reach all customers.
###
Acadia Center is a non-profit, research and advocacy organization committed to advancing the clean energy future. Acadia Center is at the forefront of efforts to build clean, low-carbon and consumer-friendly economies. Acadia Center provides accurate and reliable information, and offers a real-world and comprehensive approach to problem solving through innovation and collaboration.