In our last Scorecard Preview post, I discussed how we collect the data that underpins our State Energy Efficiency Scorecard. So, what type of information are we gathering? What makes a state energy efficient? For our purposes, energy-efficient states have two primary traits: 1) a policy and regulatory environment that enables the efficient use of energy; and 2) successful performance investing in programs that save energy. 

Out of the 50 total points a state can earn for the Scorecard, 28 are based on various energy efficiency policies and regulations. States earn points if they have adopted policies such as updated building energy codes and Energy Efficiency Resource Standards (EERS), or policies to increase transportation efficiency. The other 22 points are based on states’ actual performance delivering energy efficiency programs. For example, state-by-state, we measure the electricity savings gained from utility or other statewide energy efficiency programs, as well as their program budgets. Below is a table showing some examples of how we measure policy and performance. 

When analyzing a state’s performance and policies, we focus on the economic sectors and technologies that offer the greatest opportunities for energy savings, including:

Utilities

In energy-efficient states, regulators partner with utilities to align the goal of saving energy with the utility business model, laying the foundation for increased efficiency program investments, energy savings, and statewide economic benefits. States that harness energy efficiency as a utility-system resource lower their dependency on costly power generation.

Transportation

An energy-efficient state works with zoning and planning boards and transportation officials to ensure that communities are designed to make it easier for people to travel among home, work, and errands without cars or by driving fewer miles, and that residents have better access to public transportation. Vehicles on the road in energy-efficient states meet tailpipe emission standards that improve fuel efficiency.

Buildings and Appliances

The building community in energy-efficient states ensures that homes, offices, and other structures are built smart from the start according to the latest energy-saving building codes. States can also require that appliances be built according to sensible and cost-effective energy savings standards.

Combined Heat and Power

Utilities and industries in energy-efficient states ensure that excess heat from power generation and manufacturing processes is not wasted, but instead is used to meet onsite thermal demands in industrial, institutional, and commercial facilities, helping to reduce costs for those facilities as well as all for utility ratepayers.

State Government

By making their own facilities and vehicle fleets energy efficient, state governments can “lead by example” and build awareness of energy-saving opportunities. State governments can also advance research and development initiatives to foster technological innovation that leads to more efficient products and services.  

We should also take this opportunity to explain what the Scorecard doesn’t track.  

The Scorecard is an analysis of the regulations and programs that help shape markets for energy-efficient equipment and services, but it is not a market analysis. In developing the rankings, the Scorecard does not take into account economic factors that may drive some states to pursue energy efficiency more aggressively than others, such as energy prices and demographics. Market conditions often are an important factor in energy efficiency opportunities, however, and ACEEE follows these issues elsewhere in our research. For example, the potential for combined heat and power systems may vary significantly from one state to the next depending on electricity and natural gas prices.  A recent ACEEE report evaluates how these market differences among states affects cost-effective CHP potential.  

In addition, the Scorecard does not cover state efforts to promote and deploy renewable energy. Check out the National Renewable Energy Laboratory’s “State of the States” report for what amounts to a renewable energy “scorecard.”

So, now that we have laid out all the particulars of the State Energy Efficiency Scorecard — how it’s created, what it is, what it is not — we look forward to sharing the results with you when the report is released on October 20!

Click here to learn more about the 2011 Scorecard release event.