Florida and Texas, the states hit hardest by Hurricanes Irma and Harvey, have made strides recently in improving energy efficiency.
Florida jumped three spots on the annual American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s 2017 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard to number 22. Texas’s ranking improved to number 26. Both states have an opportunity to place greater emphasis on energy efficiency policy and implementation as they rebuild in the wake of the recent hurricanes, according to ACEEE.
Massachusetts was ranked first, breaking its 2016 tie with California, as the Golden State slipped to second place. Over the past year Massachusetts has focused on increasing access to efficiency programs for low- and moderate-income ratepayers, and invested in peak demand reduction projects.
Rounding out the top five states were Rhode Island, Vermont, and Oregon. Rhode Island opened the nation’s first offshore wind generation farm, and achieved a perfect 20-out-of-20 score in the utility programs category for the fourth year in a row due to its Three-Year Energy Efficiency Procurement Plan. Virginia enacted an energy performance contracting plan for public agencies.
Related Stories
Codes and Standards | Jul 15, 2020
Georgia gives the go-ahead for tall mass timber construction
Standards review scheduled to be completed by July 2021.
Codes and Standards | Jul 15, 2020
Softwood-lumber duties boost expenses amid COVID-19 outbreak
Little hope this year for resolution of trade dispute with Canada.
Codes and Standards | Jul 14, 2020
Metal Construction Assn. releases three EPD updates
Pertain to Metal Composite Materials, Insulated Metal Panels, and Roll Formed Aluminum and Steel Cladding.
Codes and Standards | Jul 13, 2020
5 must reads for the AEC industry today: July 13, 2020
4 technologies for improving building sanitation and tech's ever-evolving impact on the multifamily space.
Codes and Standards | Jul 9, 2020
Funding opportunity for field validation of high-impact building technologies
Dept. of Energy program targets dynamic interactions with electric grid.
Codes and Standards | Jul 8, 2020
Standards for reducing risk of COVID-19 in senior living communities
AIA releases strategies and illustrations for the sector.
Codes and Standards | Jul 6, 2020
Guide presents benefits of public-private partnerships
Discusses process from project conception to construction.
Codes and Standards | Jul 1, 2020
COVID-19 public health guidelines may be downplaying building systems solutions
Emphasis on cleaning surfaces overlooks importance of mechanical infrastructure.
Codes and Standards | Jun 30, 2020
WELL building institute steps up health safety rating for hotels and resorts
Certification body forms advisory group of industry leaders and health experts.
Codes and Standards | Jun 30, 2020
7 must reads for the AEC industry today: June 30, 2020
Affordable housing comes to the Bay Area and this is not the end of cities.
