U.S. states are making a concerted effort to boost energy efficiency, with some promoting electric vehicles, efficient products, smart buildings, cold climate heat pumps, and zero-energy building codes.
Those are some of the findings from the 2019 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Since the publication of the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nebraska, Illinois, and Ohio have adopted the updated code, with several other states considering adoption.
In addition, over the past year, Nevada, New Mexico, Washington, New York, and Maine passed 100% clean energy goals, along with plans to increase efficiency investment. A record number of states adopted new efficiency standards for a variety of products and equipment, some in direct response to the federal rollback of standards for light bulbs, ACEEE says.
The most energy efficient states remained Massachusetts and California. Maryland was the most-improved state. Kentucky, North Dakota, and Wyoming lagged behind the other states in promoting energy efficiency.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | May 20, 2019
Property lenders shouldn’t invest for 30 years in most of Florida, expert warns
Climate ignorance driving some ‘insane’ deals.
Codes and Standards | May 17, 2019
NIMBYism is the biggest multifamily construction barrier
National Apartment Assn. report assesses reasons for difficulty in creating more apartments.
Codes and Standards | May 17, 2019
Dept. of Energy to award up to $33.5 million for advanced construction R&D
Focus is on techniques to reduce energy bills.
Codes and Standards | May 16, 2019
Mixed reviews on targeted tax break for San Francisco neighborhood
“Twitter tax break” may have worsened some of the area’s problems.
Codes and Standards | May 15, 2019
OSHA inspections to increase, says Secretary of Labor
Newly hired inspectors getting up to speed.
Codes and Standards | May 14, 2019
Database records more than 1,360 K-12 school shooting incidents since 1970
Naval Postgraduate School program maps locations nationwide.
Codes and Standards | May 13, 2019
In many cities, downtown housing comes with a hefty premium
Urban core living costs hundreds of thousands more in largest U.S. cities.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2019
San Francisco plan would require largest commercial buildings to use 100% renewable electricity
First in the U.S. mandate would be phased in from 2022 to 2030.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2019
ABC says best practices can improve construction companies’ safety by 680%
Daily ‘toolbox safety talks’ were most effective safety measures.
Codes and Standards | May 7, 2019
Office noise significantly reducing employee concentration, productivity, and creativity
Workplace distractions cause some to choose to work remotely.