Building codes and utility mandates have propelled California and Massachusetts to national leadership on energy efficiency, according to the American Council For an Energy-Efficient Economy's recent state rankings.
Both states improved their overall scores from last year. Massachusetts scored 19.5 out of 20 in utility policy, while perfect scores for appliance efficiency standards and transportation policy helped California tie the Bay State.
California had a notable increase in electricity savings largely due to policies designed to ramp up energy efficiency programs, the ACEEE report says. Two recent programs, funding of energy efficiency projects in schools, and a recently implemented cap-and-trade program under the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006, contributed to the state’s performance.
Massachusetts increased its electricity efficiency targets to almost 3%, and adopted the newest International Energy Conservation Code and ASHRAE standards as part of the state’s newest building energy codes. Massachusetts' Green Communities Act of 2008 continues to drive much of the state's savings, ACEEE said, spurring additional investment in energy efficiency programs by requiring utilities to save a large and growing percentage of energy every year through efficiency measures.
Related Stories
| Apr 10, 2014
New California energy code requires building systems to be ready for demand response energy management
Starting in June, California’s latest version of its Title 24 building code kicks in, requiring several systems come with demand response capability.
| Apr 4, 2014
Green Building Initiative moves to include locally sourced materials in Green Globes
The Green Building Initiative group based in Portland, Ore., met with the Department of Agriculture on a plan to include locally sourced materials in its green building standards.
| Apr 4, 2014
White roofs outperform green roofs in reducing heat-island effect, says Lawrence Berkeley Lab
A new report from LBNL says that white roofs are three times more effective than green roofs at “cooling the globe.”
| Apr 4, 2014
ASHRAE standard aims for consistency in measuring building energy use
The standard answers such questions as: Should the measurements of a building’s area used in the equation to derive energy use per square foot be taken from the exterior dimensions or to the centerline of the wall? And, should storage spaces be included even though they are unoccupied?
| Apr 4, 2014
Cleveland’s sewer authority to pay developers for green solutions to stormwater runoff
The district’s intent to use natural features to absorb stormwater reflects an urban trend that other cities including Philadelphia and Detroit have embraced.
| Mar 30, 2014
Solar panels on Big Ben intended to spur U.K.’s sustainability targets
Solar panels may soon be installed on the face of Big Ben in London as part of the U.K.'s initiatives to reach its greenhouse gas emissions objectives under the Climate Change Act of 2008.
| Mar 26, 2014
EPA clarifies Clean Water Act in revision that was opposed by developers
The Environmental Protection Agency recently unveiled a rule designed to define more clearly which waterways are covered by the Clean Water Act and therefore require U.S. permits for certain activities.
| Mar 26, 2014
Better Buildings Initiative leading to tens of millions of dollars in savings annually, says DOE
Facilities across the nation have been able to shave on average about 2.5% of their annual utility costs through efficiency initiatives spurred by the federal Better Buildings Initiative, according to the Department of Energy’s Maria Vargas.
| Mar 26, 2014
Univ. of Nebraska-Omaha fire could prompt building code changes
A dormitory fire at the University of Nebraska at Omaha that displaced with 42 students (but caused no injuries) could trigger local building code changes.
| Mar 26, 2014
Associated Builders and Contractors wary of federal overtime rules changes
Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) cautioned that President Obama’s directive to the U.S. Department of Labor to change federal overtime rules could harm its members.
