Northeast Energy Efficiency Partnerships (NEEP) has released its first Regional Roundup, a new report examining overall trends and which states are leading and lagging in capturing cost-effective energy efficiency to help meet energy demand as cleanly and cheaply as possible.
"On the heels of the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy's State Scorecard, this new report hones in on the states in our region," said Natalie Hildt, Manager of Public Policy Outreach at NEEP. "The Roundup looks at some of the biggest successes and setbacks over the last year in states from Maine to Maryland- including key energy efficiency laws and regulations, and changes in funding levels and savings goals for customer energy efficiency programs.
While not a ranking, the Roundup uses icons to denote a state's overall progress in terms of best practices in efficiency policy and in the context of the state's own recent history. Among the states "Going the Distance" are Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Vermont, while New Hampshire, Maine and New Jersey are "Struggling."
"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," said Jim O'Reilly, Director of Public Policy at NEEP. "Along with state-level highlights, this paper reveals regional trends and shared challenges in harnessing the potential of energy efficiency to meet multiple public policy goals - controlling energy costs, improving system reliability strengthening the economy, growing jobs, improving public health and curbing greenhouse gas emissions."
Key Findings:
The Northeast continues to lead the nation in innovative energy policy, public and private support and per capita investment in efficiency programs.
Even in a slow economy, much of the region continues to ramp up efficiency, with investment levels expected to reach $2.5 billion this year.
States are grappling with the same challenges - how to fund efficiency for oil heated homes, how to coordinate state-wide programs to make access easier for customers, how to reach more homes and businesses and go deeper with efficiency projects.
In states like NH, ME, NJ and PA, fossil fuel and anti-regulatory interests threaten states' efforts to harness efficiency as the most cost-effective energy resource. In states like MA, VT, NY, CT and RI, major efficiency commitments are helping to drive down utility costs for all, create local jobs and build the clean energy economy.
The full report including state-by-state information and regional data can be downloaded here or from our home page, www.neep.org.