Welcome to the second-annual Regional Roundup of Energy Efficiency Policy in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. In this report, Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) provides its view of major policy developments in the NEEP states over the approximate timeline of November 2011 through October 2012. The aim of the roundup is to gauge progress in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states toward capturing energy efficiency as a resource. While looking at the region as a whole, we also provide summary and analysis of some of the biggest building energy efficiency successes and setbacks in individual states from Maine to Maryland, including key energy efficiency laws and regulations, and changes in funding levels for energy efficiency programs.
The roundup is intended to give policymakers, efficiency advocates, program administrators and other stakeholders a comparative view of efficiency progress and pitfalls across the region. Along with state-level highlights, this paper reveals regional trends and shared challenges in harnessing the potential of energy efficiency to meet today’s pressing energy and environmental challenges — controlling energy costs, improving system reliability, strengthening the economy, growing jobs, improving public health and curbing emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants.