Policy News

ACEEE released its famous State Energy Efficiency Scorecard last week. The scorecard aims to provide an annual benchmark of state energy efficiency policies and progress, in addition to offering a comparative tool to direct states toward efficiency policies, best practices, and case studies from high-ranking states and regional neighbors. The Northeast and Mid-Atlantic continue to dominate the top 10 rankings, providing a regional example of effective efficiency policies and best practices.

I have been lucky enough to attend the National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) Annual Meeting, this year held in New Orleans. This has been a great opportunity for a couple of reasons. Professionally, I’ve been able to network with different stakeholders across the country. Personally, I took advantage of the opportunity to dive right into the NOLA experience with my first beignet and Sazerac cocktail. 

With July comes the biggest cycling race in the world - Le Tour de France. As an avid biker, this annual summer event is one of my personal favorites. It appeals for a variety of reasons, including the perseverance racers have, the variety of terrain and landscapes the course travels, and the collective wave of success.

Tucked away at the bottom of page 81 in Con Edison’s recent 120 page settlement agreement lies a sentence that will likely alter the course of energy efficiency programs in the state:

A drop of one spot in the recent ACEEE State Scorecard should not dishearten Granite Staters who’ve been working hard to make the state more energy efficient. While New Hampshire slid from number 20 to 21 in the much-watched ranking of state energy efficiency leaders, there’s important progress to laud, and the future looks bright.

If you don’t spend your copious free time paging through the orders and filings in the New York Reforming the Energy Vision (REV) proceeding, it’s possible you may have missed a nugget or two. To help you catch up on what’s arguably the most important regulatory proceeding in the country right now, we’ve pulled forward a few of the key details relating to energy efficiency in particular.

Pressed for time? Here’s the shorthand:

Energy storage technology is ready to transform the way we use, manage, and view electric energy. However, the question remains: are we prepared for it? Last year, the U.S. market saw an unprecedented expansion of 221 MW of deployed storage, up 243 percent from 2014.

With summer in full swing and the mercury rising almost as high as system loads, now is the perfect time for a brief review of the latest in energy efficiency policies and proceedings throughout the region. We’re closely monitoring New York’s CEAC processes, while also keeping an eye on key regulatory proceedings in Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont with the potential for major impacts on energy efficiency in the region. Read on for more.

Spring has sprung, and it’s time for the latest edition of NEEP’s Policy Tracker. We’re closely watching Maryland’s EmPOWER proceedings after indications of a possible rollback of efficiency programs, while positive developments on the regulatory front are moving New Hampshire and Delaware closer to full program implementation. Read on for more…

Editor's Note: Since publication of this blog, lawmakers agreed on a budget that diverts $3 million of RGGI proceeds into the general fund.