Massachusetts Eclipses California for Greenest State Status

California, long used to being the top banana in the U.S. for environmental and energy efficiency practices, has for the first time dropped to number two on at least one “greenest state” ranking.

For the past five years, the The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy has produced its ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard that ranks the 50 U.S. states based on a set of metrics put in place to evaluate best practices and recognize leadership in energy efficiency policy and program implementation. The Scorecard benchmarks progress and provides a road map for states to advance energy efficiency in the residential, commercial, industrial, and transportation sectors.

With the exception of one state – Minnesota – all the top rankers are either on the West Coast or in the northeast coastal section of the U.S. In order of ranking, they are:

1.      Massachusetts
2.      California
3.      New York
4.      Oregon
5.      Vermont
6.      Washington State
7.      Rhode Island
8.      Minnesota
9.      Connecticut
10.    Maryland

So who is at the bottom of the heap? Primarily southern and midwestern states, with North Dakota bringing up the absolute bottom, at position number 51 (the District of Columbia was ranked as a state). It's interesting to note that while Alabama is ranked in the bottom 10, it did show up in the top six most improved states this year.

50.       North Dakota
49.       Wyoming
48.       Mississippi
47.       Kansas
46.       Oklahoma
45.       South Carolina
44.       West Virginia
43.       Missouri
42.       Alabama
41.       South Dakota

For its part, Massachusetts seemed gratified – though unsurprised – to see how the state's efforts have paid off.

“Thanks to our investments in innovation and infrastructure, Massachusetts is now leading the nation in energy efficiency,” said Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick. “Through our Green Communities Act, we set aggressive goals and laid the foundation for greater investment in energy efficiency – and now we are proud to be a model for the nation and world.”