1. Total spending (utility-reported demand-side management [DSM] combined with public benefits spending) has increased modestly since 1998—from $918 million to $1.10 billion in 2000.
2. Public benefits funding has increased rapidly since 1998 and has become a large share of total funding for energy efficiency programs.
3. Public benefits spending is expected to continue to increase, as indicated by the total amount of funding authorized by states enacting such programs. Public benefits spending in 2000 in many states was not fully “ramped up” to the full amounts of authorized budgets.
4. Generally, most states that have been actively engaged in providing energy efficiency services have continued to fund and implement energy efficiency programs, although the funding mechanisms and structure of programs in many cases are changing.
5. The states most actively providing publicly supported energy efficiency programs continue to be primarily in the Northeast (including New England and the Mid- Atlantic region), the Pacific Northwest, and certain parts of the Midwest, as well as the states of Florida and California.
6. A number of states are notable for increasing their commitment to energy efficiency from the late 1990s, although in most of these cases (New York, Wisconsin, Texas, and Vermont), spending levels in 2000 were still lower than 1993. A few states (notably Connecticut and New Jersey) increased spending from the late 1990s and also are at higher levels than they were in 1993.
7. There is great variability in funding levels for energy efficiency programs.
   About one-third of the states (16) account for 86% of total U.S. spending on energy efficiency programs. One-half of the states (25) account for essentially all (95%) of total spending on efficiency programs. Even within this top half of states, there is great variability, as the spending per capita ranges from $1.16 to $19.48—a factor of about 17 from lowest to highest.

The overall trend in energy efficiency activity reflects a growing recognition among states that energy efficiency programs provide important economic and environmental benefits. Whether funded through traditional utility DSM or emerging public benefits programs, many individual states are showing renewed commitment to ensuring that energy efficiency is a strategic element in meeting present and future energy demand.