If you joined us for BostInno’s Holiday Bash last night, I understand if you’re a bit green around the gills this morning. The beer we brewed and you named — BuzzedInno, Boston Strong — is some strong hooch. But Bay State residents have a more delightful reason to feel green this morning. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) named Massachusetts the most energy efficient state in the country this year.
This is the third year in a row the Commonwealth has taken home this distinguished honor, which is “based on its continued commitment to energy efficiency under its Green Communities Act.” Also considered were the likes of state utility policies, appliance standards, building codes, transportation efficiency (yes, even including the MBTA), and financial incentives.
Even better is that Massachusetts was joined by fellow New England states Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Vermont in the top 10 most efficient. Maine also came in at number two in the Most Improved category.
California, New York, Oregon, and Connecticut rounded out the top five.
According to the Massaschusetts Clean Energy Industry Report, “Between 2007 and 2013, Massachusetts experienced a 157 percent growth in electric energy savings from energy efficient measures.”
The news of the award comes just as Massachusetts wraps up an Autumn-long campaign in which Governor Deval Patrick went north of the border to talk clean alternative energy in Canada, more specifically “the strength and successes of the growing Massachusetts clean energy sector to the Commonwealth’s Canadian counterparts.”
Most recently, during the height of the Boston mayoral election and in light of the 1-year anniversary of Hurricane Sandy, the Environmental League of Massachusetts called upon both City Hall candidates to consider and discuss a comprehensive environmental safety plan which ties directly to green energy efficiency in Boston.
Also today First Wind, an independent U.S.-based renewable energy company, broke ground to mark the construction of its 14-megawatt solar project in the town of Warren, Mass.
