Massachusetts Ranked #1 State For Energy Efficiency

Thursday, November 07, 2013

GoLocalWorcester News Team

Today, Governor Deval Patrick announced that for the third year in a row, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, or ACEEE, has ranked Massachusetts as the number one state for energy efficiency policies and programs.

Check out the state-by-state scorecard.

“Massachusetts continues to lead the nation in energy efficiency because we have made the choice to shape our future, rather than leave it to chance,” said Governor Patrick. “We will continue to focus on policies that create jobs, decrease dependence on imported energy sources and protect our environment by reducing emissions.”

In 2008, Deval Patrick signed the Green Communities Act, the Green Jobs Act, and the Global Warming Solutions Act, which acts as the outline for Massachusetts’ energy efficiency and clean energy goals.

“Massachusetts retained the top spot in the State Energy Efficiency Scorecard rankings for the third year in a row, having overtaken California in 2011,” according to the report. “In late 2012, Massachusetts finalized its three-year plan, setting annual electricity savings targets of 2.5-2.6 percent through 2015, and natural gas savings targets of 1.08 – 1.19 percent per year through 2015. These are some of the most ambitious savings targets in the country, helping Massachusetts to earn the highest score in the utilities section of this year’s State Scorecard.”

For the third time, Massachusetts topped California in ACEEE’s State Energy Efficiency Scorecard. California held the top slot on the national scorecard for the first four years. ACEEE ranked Massachusetts fourth in the inaugural scorecard, but the Commonwealth reached number two in 2009 and held that slot for two years, before reaching number one in 2011 and 2012.

“Governor Patrick’s strong leadership on clean energy policy has earned us this honor for the third consecutive year,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Rick Sullivan. “Working with our legislative, utility, environmental and community partners, we have seen the economic and environmental benefits of pursuing energy efficiency as our first fuel.”

The Patrick Administration has been dedicated to increasing efficiency and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. Massachusetts has experienced a 30-fold increase in wind generation and a 90-fold increase in solar. In August 2013, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center announced Massachusetts’ clean energy economy grew by 11.8 percent from July 2012 to July 2013. According to the 2013 Massachusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, there are now 79,994 Massachusetts clean energy workers and 5,557 clean energy firms operating in Massachusetts.

There was 15.9 percent growth in the energy efficiency sector alone, with more than 46,000 people employed at nearly 3,000 firms. Through the Bay State’s first three-year energy efficiency plans, Mass Save® programs delivered savings equivalent to the annual electricity usage of 314,427 households and equivalent to the annual natural gas usage of more than 52,017 households. In addition, measures implemented under the plans reduced greenhouse gas emissions reductions equal to eliminating 289,584 cars.

ACEEE’s state scores are calculated based on utility efficiency programs and policy, transportation, building energy codes, combined heat and power projects, state government initiatives and appliance efficiency standards

“In Massachusetts, we are leading by example at the government level and creating opportunities for residents and businesses to reduce their energy use and costs,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Mark Sylvia. “We continue to support the expansion of combined heat and power systems, exploring new ways to increase efficiency and reduce greenhouse gases in transportation, and embracing building energy codes.”

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