Mass. slides slightly in energy efficiency rankings

October 6, 2008 02:51 PM Email| Comments (0)| Text size – +

By Globe Staff

Massachusetts slid four places but remained in the top tier in an energy efficiency ranking of all 50 states released today by an advocacy group.

The Bay State tied with Minnesota for seventh place, down from the fourth spot it occupied in the 2007 rankings by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. This year New York, Vermont, and Washington leapfrogged Massachusetts in the survey, which examines transportation, land-use policies, utilities' efficiency programs, financial incentives, and support for research.

In particular, Massachusetts lost a few points because it has been "a little slow" to upgrade and implement efficiency standards in its building code, said Steven Nadel, the council's executive director. That includes requirements for thicker insulation, the use of 90-percent-efficient condensing furnaces, sealing heating ducts, and sealing the outside of homes.

Overall "Massachusetts did well," Nadel said. "Being in the top ten is quite good."

California topped the list, followed by Oregon, Connecticut, Vermont, New York, and Washington.

To read the full report, click here.

The rankings were issued on the same day that Governor Deval Patrick's administration announced the appointment of 22 members to the new Energy Efficiency Advisory Council. Created in July with the signing of the Green Communities Act, the advisory council will review the efficiency plans and budgets of utilities to identify cost savings and environmental benefits.

Under the new law, utility companies will also offer rebates and other financial incentives for customers to upgrade lighting, refrigeration, air conditioning, motors, and industrial equipment to more efficient models.

“Energy efficiency is the quickest, cheapest, cleanest way to cut our energy costs," said Ian Bowles, secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs, in a statement. "When we tap its full potential, we will protect consumers, reduce our environmental impacts and grow our clean energy sector.”