Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Programs Top National Bests for Savings
Massachusetts’ energy efficiency programs produced remarkable consumer and environmental benefits in 2014 according to preliminary data released by the program administrators. The programs produced an estimated $3.14 billion in total savings for Massachusetts, achieving 110% and 121% of 2014 goals for electric and gas benefits, respectively.
“Massachusetts energy efficiency programs are delivering on their promise to create large energy savings for consumers, and move the Commonwealth toward a clean, affordable and secure energy future,” said Daniel L. Sosland, Acadia Center President.
2014 is the second year in the 2013-2015 three-year efficiency plans, which set top-in-the-nation targets for energy efficiency savings. With these results, the Commonwealth is far exceeding targets set forth in the plan. This also puts the state on track to meet targets in its Clean Energy Climate Plan. Massachusetts has been ranked number one on American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy’s (ACEEE) national energy efficiency scorecard of state efficiency efforts for four years. The Energy Efficiency Advisory Council, a stakeholder board that guides efficiency implementation won an ACEEE Champion of Energy Efficiency award last year.
Much of the expansion of energy efficiency during 2014 has brought benefits to Massachusetts homes, with significant growth of programs in the residential sector, including widespread adoption of increasingly affordable LED lights, home insulation and installation of highly efficient heating equipment.
The programs bring major benefits to the Commonwealth, beyond the direct savings for those who implement these services in their homes and businesses. This year’s efficiency investments yielded an estimated:
- electric demand savings equivalent to a 172 MW power plant
- 1,305 GWh of annual electric savings (enough to power over 171,770 homes for a year)
- 28.2 million therms of annual gas savings (enough to heat over 29,500 homes for a year)
- 476,531 MMBtu of oil saved in 2014
- annual GHG reductions of 1.56 million tons, which is equivalent to removing over 326,000 cars from the road
As a member of the Massachusetts Energy Efficiency Advisory Council, Acadia Center looks forward to working with fellow members, program administrators and other stakeholders to make sure that the Commonwealth continues to set and achieve ambitious goals for energy efficiency.
“With the drafting of the 2016-2018 plan beginning soon,” said Amy Boyd, Acadia Center Senior Attorney who serves on the EEAC, “Massachusetts has an opportunity to build on the progress we’ve seen to-date and bring even more benefits for homes and businesses.”
For more information, see Year-End/Q4 Results in Program Administrators Q4 Report and EEAC Consultant Initial Review presentations.
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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.
Contact:
Amy Boyd, Senior Attorney, Acadia Center, 617-742-0054 x102, aboyd@acadiacenter.org
Emily Avery-Miller, Director External Relations, Acadia Center, 617-742-0054 x100, eavery-miller@acadiacenter.org