Massachusetts Holds Off California to Receive Top Energy Efficiency Ranking for the Fifth Year in a Row
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a national nonpartisan organization, released its 2015 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard today, with Massachusetts holding the #1 rank for the fifth year in a row, having overtaken California in 2011. California is still close behind at #2, with only a half point separating the states’ rankings.
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 $11.5 billion in economic benefits and energy savings for ratepayers over the last five years.
Massachusetts’ next 3-year plan (2016-2018) is currently being evaluated by the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council, a stakeholder board on which Acadia Center serves. The draft plan is expected to deliver $8.13 billion in economic benefits and energy savings over the 3 year period, and sets savings goals (2.93% of sales for electric and 1.24% of sales for natural gas) that are believed to be the highest in the nation, yet again. The environmental benefits the 3-year plan will deliver are equivalent to removing an estimated 408,000 cars from the road.
“Maximizing efficiency is a major step toward securing a clean energy future. Massachusetts is showing that the principle of deploying least-cost, non-polluting measures to reduce demand really works. It’s a triple-win for the environment, the economy and the end users who enjoy lower costs and more effective energy use,” said Amy Boyd, Senior Attorney for Acadia Center, and member of the Energy Efficiency Advisory Council.
“The Northeast is on the right path, and leaps ahead of some other states, but there is still a lot to do to make the most of this low-cost, clean resource. The states can work to find better ways to treat older buildings, provide new financing tools and technologies, and accelerate strategies to reach untreated homes and businesses,” said Boyd.
As a member of efficiency stakeholder boards in multiple states, Acadia Center looks forward to working with fellow members, utilities and other stakeholders to make sure that the efficiency plans for Massachusetts and other New England states are implemented effectively to deliver cost savings through lower utility bills, emissions reductions, and clean energy job growth, in addition to broader economic benefits.
See the Scorecard at: http://www.aceee.org/state-policy/scorecard
Contact:
Amy Boyd, Senior Attorney
617-742-0054 x102, aboyd@acadiacenter.org
Kiernan Dunlop, Communications Associate
617-742-0054 x107, kdunlop@acadiacenter.org
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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.