Massachusetts Named Most Energy Efficient State for Sixth Consecutive Year
Shares Top Spot with California on American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy Scorecard
BOSTON – September 27, 2016 –The Baker-Polito Administration today announced that the Commonwealth has been named the most energy efficient state in the nation by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) for the sixth consecutive year. This year, Massachusetts is joined by California at the top of ACEEE’s annual scorecard that ranks states on their energy efficiency policies and programs. Earlier today Department of Energy Resources (DOER) Commissioner Judith Judson joined her California counterpart, Commissioner Andrew McAllister of the California Energy Commission, on a national conference call to announce the 2016 ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard.
“The Commonwealth continues to lead the nation in energy efficiency, which remains the most cost effective method of reducing ratepayer costs and lowering emissions,” said Governor Charlie Baker. “The recently signed comprehensive energy diversification legislation will build upon our nation leading success by providing new opportunities to embrace clean energy and energy efficiency.”
“From combined heat and power to electric vehicles and energy storage, our administration is committed to embracing innovative technologies and policies that will continue to allow us to build a resilient, clean and affordable energy future,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Our continued success in this ranking wouldn’t be possible without our policies that support energy efficiency as a way to reduce energy costs and address challenges like peak demand and building a flexible, resilient energy grid.”
The ACEEE Scorecard measures states on six categories of energy efficiency policy and programs, including utility programs, transportation, building energy codes, combined heat and power, state government policies, and appliance standards. Contributing to Massachusetts’ ongoing leadership is its utility-run nation-leading energy efficiency programs. The Baker-Polito Administration recently announced that the state’s 2013-2015 Three-Year Plan Energy Efficiency Plan exceeded its savings goals and set a new savings record in 2015. The current 2016-2018 Three-Year Plan, approved earlier in 2016, sets nation-leading goals for energy savings, with goals of 2.94% of electric sales and 1.24% of gas sales.
“As we look to our clean energy future, Massachusetts’ ambitious current Three-Year Energy Efficiency Plan is a clear commitment to ensuring that we continue to lead the nation on energy efficiency,” said Energy and Environmental Affairs Secretary Matthew Beaton. “We are committed to building upon our longstanding partnership with utilities to ensure that all ratepayers, from residential and commercial to low-income, are able to access greater energy efficiency.”
“The Commonwealth continues to lead by example in embracing energy efficiency in state operations, from LEED certified state building requirements to providing technical assistance for government to maximize the energy savings benefits of performance contracting,” said Department of Energy Resources Commissioner Judith Judson. “Additionally, by adopting the most recent national model building energy code and the Massachusetts’ stretch code, we’ve given our construction industry and local municipalities the tools they need to continue to incorporate energy efficiency into the next generation of buildings.”
The 2016 ACEEE scorecard recognized the continued leadership of the Commonwealth on embracing energy efficiency in state operations and facilities. Massachusetts currently has over 55 state buildings across 29 state agencies that have achieved LEED certification recognizing advanced energy and environmental design. The LEED standard, established by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), awards certifications in Certified, Silver, Gold and Platinum levels for clean energy, energy efficiency and environmental design integration. Over 60% of the state certified buildings are certified at the top two levels of Gold or Platinum.
“Massachusetts has led the nation in energy efficiency for the past six years. This year the Bay State showed continued commitment reducing energy waste by increasing its savings targets for utilities to close to 3%, the highest in the nation,” said ACEEE Executive Director Steven Nadel. “By setting ambitious goals, Massachusetts helps keeps energy bills low for residents and businesses, fosters economic opportunity, and ensures a cleaner and more resilient energy future for the state.”
In July, the Massachusetts Board of Building Regulations and Standards voted unanimously to adopt the latest national model building energy code together with a streamlined update to the Massachusetts stretch energy code. This code update keeps the Commonwealth on the leading edge in adopting the latest national model energy code, allowing Massachusetts to attain full points in this ACEEE Scorecard category, as well as offering towns and cities the opportunity to adopt a stretch energy code. To date 178 municipalities have elected to adopt the Stretch energy code, a key component of receiving a “Green Communities” designation.
“Certainly we are making great strides toward energy efficiency and a brighter renewable energy future,” said Senate Minority Leader Bruce E. Tarr (R-Gloucester). “This rating confirms our progress, and should motivate us to continue moving in a positive direction.”
“Massachusetts’ designation as the nation’s most energy efficient state by the ACEEE is a testament to the strong leadership the Baker-Polito Administration has demonstrated on this issue,” said House Minority Leader Bradley H. Jones, Jr. (R-North Reading). “With the recent signing of a comprehensive energy diversity bill, the adoption of a new Three-Year Energy Efficiency Plan, and other environmental initiatives promoted by the Governor’s office, the Commonwealth is well-positioned to continue to lead the way in providing consumers with access to clean, reliable and affordable energy sources.”
“Energy efficiency brings great benefits to our Commonwealth, both by saving ratepayers money and providing clean energy jobs,” said Representative Thomas A. Golden, Jr. (D-Lowell), Chairman of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy. “I applaud the administration’s work with the utilities and the energy efficiency advisory council. In addition, the recently signed energy legislation not only includes a commercial property assessed clean energy program, but also contains provisions regarding energy storage and fuel cells, allowing us to utilize our existing resources to the fullest extent possible.”
The recently signed comprehensive energy diversification legislation includes support for commercial ratepayers by establishing a commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (PACE) program. The PACE program, facilitated by MassDevelopment and the Department of Energy Resources, will enable commercial and industrial property owners across the state to finance comprehensive energy efficiency and renewable energy upgrades that are repaid through a property tax assessment on their building.
