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American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

Energy Efficiency Scorecard Ranking for 2014

The results are in for this year’s state-by-state energy efficiency ranking, and some of Inside Energy’s focus states are at the bottom of the list. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy released its State Energy Efficiency Scorecard last week, grading states for their policies and efforts toward energy efficiency.

What is energy efficiency anyway? The International Energy Agency defines energy efficiency as using methods and tools that deliver more services for the same energy input, or the same services for less energy input. For example, a compact fluorescent light bulb uses less energy than an incandescent light bulb to produce the same amount of light, so the compact fluorescent light bulb is more energy efficient.

ACEEE grades each state’s energy efficiency based on six criteria, including utilities, transportation, building energy codes and state government-led initiatives. Points are awarded for the state’s efforts and progress in each category, for a total of 50 possible points.

Energy Efficiency Scorecard Ranking for 2014

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

Energy Efficiency Scorecard Ranking for 2014

At the top of the list, for the fourth year in a row, is Massachusetts. But where did Colorado, North Dakota and Wyoming rank?

Colorado did well, moving up three points from last year to occupy slot #13. The state scored points for its Energy Efficiency Resource Standard, which requires utilities to offer financial rewards to customers who suck less energy from the grid—either by changing their usage behavior, or investing in more efficient appliances and gadgets. Colorado also earned points for supporting efficient transportation, offering mortgage discounts and loans for efficient homes and businesses, and efficient energy use in government buildings.

Wyoming is near the bottom at #50, the same spot it held last year. The state earned a couple of points for utility policies and programs, but energy savings were low compared to the national average. Its Statewide Freight Plan, an initiative to improve the state’s transportation policy, earned Wyoming some points, but the state doesn’t currently have any policies that encourage efficient transportation systems. The state also earned a few points in building energy codes and state government-led initiatives.

At the bottom of the list is North Dakota at #51. The state earned zero points in the utilities category, with no reported spending on energy efficiency programs. It earned points in transportation for its State Freight Plan’s effort to create a “safe, secure, sustainable, efficient, reliable and responsive” transportation system. North Dakota scored half a point in government-led initiatives for its one grant program available for energy efficiency investments.

What’s next:

  • View the full 2014 ACEEE 2014 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard rankings..