ACEEE: New Energy Efficiency Scorecard to Rank All 50 States, Even as Federal Climate/Energy Action Stalls, The States Pick Up the Pace

State, Federal Officials to Join ACEEE for Major National News Event; Top 10 States Are CA, CT, MA, ME, MN, NY, OR, RI, VT and WA, While  AL, KS, LA, MS, MO, NE, ND, OK, WV and WY Have "Most Room for Improvement";  Most Improved Are  AK, AZ, NM and UT, While TX Falls the Most.

… October 13, 2010 News Advisory ...

WASHINGTON, Oct. 12 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Climate and energy issues may be on the backburner in Washington, D.C., but major energy efficiency initiatives are thriving at the state level, according to a 50-state scorecard from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) that will be released during a live National Press Club news conference at 10 a.m. EDT on October 13, 2010.

The ranking of all 50 states and the District of Columbia will show that the top 10 states include (in alphabetical order) California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Washington State.  The 10 states comprising the "most room for improvement" group are (in alphabetical order) Alabama, Kansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma, West Virginia and Wyoming.  While some states have lost relative ground in the ACEEE rankings, (including Texas falling the farthest), other states (including Alaska, Arizona, New Mexico, and Utah) are among the most improved.

News event speakers will be:

• ACEEE Executive Director Steve Nadel;
• Arizona Corporation Commission Chair Kris Mayes;
• New Mexico Department of Energy, Minerals, and Natural Resources Cabinet Secretary James Noel  (invited);
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office of Air and Radiation Assistant Administrator Gina McCarthy;
• National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) Executive Director David Terry; and
• Department of Energy Deputy Assistant Secretary for Energy Efficiency Kathleen Hogan.

ACEEE Research Associate Maggie Molina, the lead author of the new ACEEE "Scorecard" report, will also participate in the news conference.

FOR D.C.-BASED REPORTERS:  Members of the media in Washington, D.C. area are invited to attend this live news conference starting at 10 a.m. EDT on October 13, 2010, at the National Press Club,  529 14th St., NW, Murrow Room.  Reporters are encouraged to RSVP by no later than 3 p.m. EDT October 12, 2010.  

FOR REPORTERS OUTSIDE OF D.C.:  A live, one-way audio feed from this news event will be available to reporters outside of Washington, D.C., starting at 9:55 a.m. EDT on October 13, 2010, by dialing 1- (800) 860-2442. Ask for the "State Energy Efficiency Ranking Report" news event.  After the news event, questions may be posed by callers by contacting Leslie Anderson, (703) 276-3256.

CONTACT:   Leslie Anderson, (703) 276-3256 or [email protected].

EDITOR'S NOTE:  An electronic copy of the ACEEE 2010 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard report and a high-resolution image of the ACEEE "logo" are available upon request. Contact Leslie Anderson, (703) 276-3256 for more details.

BACKGROUND

In 2010, states are again demonstrating their growing interest in energy efficiency as a means to bolster the economy, improve energy stability, and drive technology innovation.  Governors, state legislators and officials, and citizens increasingly recognize energy efficiency – the kilowatt-hours and gallons of gasoline that we don't use thanks to improved technologies and practices – as the cheapest, cleanest, and quickest energy resource to deploy.  While the national economy slowly recovers from a recession, Congress continues to move at a glacial pace on major energy and climate legislation, which numerous studies have shown could help to stimulate the economy. Other major national issues have also forced energy and climate into the back seat.  In the face of federal inaction, states are adopting aggressive and innovative policies to encourage investments in energy efficiency.  As they have over the past few decades, states will continue to guide our nation's direction toward a clean energy future to help save consumers money, boost local economies by creating jobs, and improve the environment.  

In this fourth edition of ACEEE's State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, we present a comprehensive scorecard to document best practices, recognize leadership among the states, and provide a roadmap for other states to follow.  The scorecard can serve as a means of benchmarking state efforts on energy efficiency policies and programs with the goal of encouraging states to continue to raise the bar in their efficiency commitments.  While several states have been pursuing energy efficiency for decades and are leading the way, new leaders are quickly emerging by adopting and implementing innovative new efficiency policies.  Still, many states can accomplish much more to encourage energy efficiency and cannot afford to be left behind.

ABOUT ACEEE

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (http://www.aceee.org) is an independent and nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing energy efficiency as a means of promoting economic prosperity, energy security, and environmental protection.  ACEEE was founded in 1980 by leading researchers in the energy field.  Projects are carried out by ACEEE staff and collaborators from government, the private sector, research institutions, and other nonprofit organizations.  For information about ACEEE and its programs, publications, and conferences, visit http://www.aceee.org.

SOURCE American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, Washington, D.C.