In terms of energy efficiency, Colorado is doing better than its neighbors.
That's according to a new report out by the energy policy nonprofit American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. The annual report ranks the 50 states and the District of Columbia on their energy efficiency policies and efforts. Colorado ranks 13, with Massachusetts leading the pack and North Dakota coming in last.
The report ranks states on the performance of their state government, buildings, combined heat and power systems, utilities, transportation, and appliance standards. Colorado received a scoreof 24.5 out of a possible 50 points. The highest-ranked state, Massachusetts, ranked 42 out of 50.
Colorado did particularly well in the buildings and utilities sectors. The state got props for funding energy efficiency programs, which are largely administered by Xcel Energy, the major investor-owned utility in Colorado.
The state did less well in the appliance standards category – it hasn't set any standards beyond those required by the federal government. It also got low marks for its encouragement and adoption of combined heat and power systems, which generate electricity and thermal energy in a single integrated system.
But compared to its neighbors, Colorado is still well ahead in the Rocky Mountain and Great Plains region.
Notably, major fossil fuel energy producing states fared poorly in the rankings, with Wyoming just ahead of North Dakota in the number 50 spot, Alaska ranked 47, and West Virginia 46.
Two Colorado cities, Denver and Boulder, also received reviews in the report. Both got high marks for government involvement in energy efficiency, including their Climate Action Plans, but Boulder outpaced Denver significantly in the transportation sector.
