Study: Some States Lead, Others Lag in Energy Efficiency
While nationwide spending on ratepayer-funded electric energy efficiency programs showed modest growth from 2000 to 2003, spending levels continue to vary widely among the states, according to a new study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).
While nationwide spending on ratepayer-funded electric energy efficiency programs showed modest growth from 2000 to 2003, spending levels continue to vary widely among the states, according to a new study by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE). Total spending on these programs was about $1.35 billion in 2003, up from about $1.1 billion in 2000 and about $900 million in 1998.
"A relatively small number of states continue to account for most of the investment in energy efficiency through utility and related programs," according to Dr. Marty Kushler, co-author of the study and ACEEE utilities program director. "These leading states rightly recognize that energy efficiency can save energy at half the cost of new energy supply. As a result, they are increasing their commitment to energy efficiency and are saving their citizens and businesses a lot of money on their energy bills."
The top ten states in spending as a percentage of utility revenues are:
Total spending on programs nationwide represents about 0.5% of utility revenues. The leading states spend from 1% to 3% of utility revenues on efficiency.
Another indicator reported in the study is energy efficiency spending per capita. The nationwide average for electric energy efficiency program spending is $4.65 per capita. Eighteen states are above this national average; the highest (Vermont) is $28.26 per capita. Twenty-four states, however, spend less than $1 per capita. The top twenty states account for 90% of nationwide spending.
"With energy prices reaching unprecedented highs, investments in energy efficiency should be a top priority in every state," said Dan York, co-author of the study and ACEEE senior research associate. "However, our analysis clearly shows that many states are largely ignoring and failing to capture this lowest cost energy resource that also yields significant environmental and economic benefits."
The study, ACEEE's 3rd National Scorecard on Utility and Public Benefits Energy Efficiency Programs: A National Review and Update of State-Level Activity, contains complete rankings for all fifty states. It is available for free download online.
"A relatively small number of states continue to account for most of the investment in energy efficiency through utility and related programs," according to Dr. Marty Kushler, co-author of the study and ACEEE utilities program director. "These leading states rightly recognize that energy efficiency can save energy at half the cost of new energy supply. As a result, they are increasing their commitment to energy efficiency and are saving their citizens and businesses a lot of money on their energy bills."
The top ten states in spending as a percentage of utility revenues are:
- Vermont
- Massachusetts
- Washington
- Rhode Island
- New Hampshire
- Oregon
- Wisconsin
- New Jersey
- Montana
- California
Total spending on programs nationwide represents about 0.5% of utility revenues. The leading states spend from 1% to 3% of utility revenues on efficiency.
Another indicator reported in the study is energy efficiency spending per capita. The nationwide average for electric energy efficiency program spending is $4.65 per capita. Eighteen states are above this national average; the highest (Vermont) is $28.26 per capita. Twenty-four states, however, spend less than $1 per capita. The top twenty states account for 90% of nationwide spending.
"With energy prices reaching unprecedented highs, investments in energy efficiency should be a top priority in every state," said Dan York, co-author of the study and ACEEE senior research associate. "However, our analysis clearly shows that many states are largely ignoring and failing to capture this lowest cost energy resource that also yields significant environmental and economic benefits."
The study, ACEEE's 3rd National Scorecard on Utility and Public Benefits Energy Efficiency Programs: A National Review and Update of State-Level Activity, contains complete rankings for all fifty states. It is available for free download online.
