Maine ranked in top 10 for energy efficiency!

Maine is among the 10 states that are doing the most to implement energy efficiency, according to the 2009 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard. This is the third edition of the state-by-state ranking by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

"The most improved states are stepping up their efforts in several ways, such as adopting new building energy codes and setting aggressive new energy savings targets," Maggie Eldridge, lead author of the report from the ACEEE, said in a press release. Last year Maine ranked 19th.

Gov. Baldacci is quoted in yesterdays press release as saying: "I am pleased that Maine is being recognized for our commitment to energy efficiency. We began by making State government a model in order to show businesses and residents that reducing energy consumption improves our way of life by reducing harmful effects on our environment and our health, while making a significant impact to our bottom line. We made this commitment in 2003 when the price of oil was $20 a barrel. Since then, we've made new investments in weatherization, encouraged alternative modes of transportation, and encouraged voluntary alternative work schedules for State employees, and we became the first state to purchase 100 percent of our electricity from zero carbon renewable resources."

The 10 states doing the most include (in order of ranking):
California
Massachusetts
Connecticut
Oregon
New York
Vermont
Washington state
Minnesota
Rhode Island
Maine

The states with the most room for improvement include:
Arkansas
Missouri
Louisiana
Georgia
Alaska
West Virginia
Nebraska
Alabama
Mississippi
North Dakota
Wyoming
Washington D.C.

To learn more about what Maine is doing right regarding energy efficiency check out the October Energy edition of Bangor Metro magazine.