by Rebecca Walker — October 26, 2009—The latest version of a scorecard that rates states on their energy efficiency policies and programs finds that many states are increasing and strengthening their energy efficiency efforts despite the recession.
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) recently released its 2009 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, the third edition of the annual ranking.
Taking the top ten spots are California, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Oregon, New York, Vermont, Washington, Minnesota, Rhode Island and Maine. The bottom ten spots are filled by Arkansas, Missouri, Louisiana, Georgia, Alaska, West Virginia, Nebraska, Alabama, Mississippi, North Dakota and, all the way at the bottom, Wyoming.
Within the middle ranks, some states made big moves up in the scorecard. Maine went from 19 to the 10th spot. Colorado moved up eight places, from 24 to 16. Delaware jumped from 32 to 20. The District of Columbia climbed 10 spots to number 20. South Dakota went from 47 to 36. And Tennessee moved from 46 to 38.
The scorecard rates states on utility-sector and public benefits programs and policies, transportation policies, building energy codes, combined heat and power, state government initiatives and appliance efficiency standards.
For more information, see the ACEEE Web site.
