California, Vermont, Connecticut top ranking of energy-efficient states
Less than a week after California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) declared at an economic summit in Canada that clean energy is becoming the basis for “a new gold rush,” his all-star state has topped an energy-efficiency ranking issued by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. Looking at eight factors, including transportation policies, building codes, spending on efficiency programs, and tax incentives, ACEEE — also known for its “Green Book” ranking of vehicles — developed a 44-point scale on which California scored 33 points, tying with Vermont and Connecticut for first place. North Dakota bottomed out the list with a pitiful 0.5 points. Noting the national disparity, ACEEE is calling on Congress to enact federal efficiency requirements. Says Deputy Director Bill Prindle: “Given the stakes that we as a nation face — global warming and energy security — it’s not sufficient to let a few visionary states lead while the rest of the nation lags.”
