Oregon Ranks In Top 10 Of Most Energy Efficient U.S. States
2018 marks the 12th year Oregon has landed in the top 10 rankings by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
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Cliff Voliva, 503-378-3637
Rachel Wray, 503-689-0294
SALEM – For the twelfth year in a row, Oregon ranks in the top 10 of the most energy efficient states in the country, according to the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. ACEEE’s 2018 scorecard ranks Oregon at No. 7.
The state is joined in the top 10 by its west coast neighbors, with California at No. 2 and Washington at No. 9.
The news comes as Oregon and the nation celebrate Energy Efficiency Day on October 5 and Energy Awareness Month throughout October. The latter is designated by the U.S. Department of Energy to highlight the importance of energy leadership, efficiency, and resiliency. Energy Efficiency Day recognizes the importance of saving energy and how efficiency offers the easiest, most cost-effective way to meet the state’s energy needs.
Each year, the ACEEE releases its State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, which measures states based on utility and public benefit programs and policies; transportation policies; building energy codes; combined heat and power policies; state government-led initiatives around energy efficiency; and appliance and equipment standards. In its Scorecard announcement Thursday, the ACEEE said, Oregon’s “state government leads by example by requiring energy-efficient public buildings and fleets, benchmarking energy use, and encouraging energy savings performance contracts. Research focused on energy efficiency takes place at several institutions in the state.”
In particular, the Scorecard awards Oregon the maximum points for government-led energy initiatives like the State Energy Efficient Design (SEED) Program, administered by the Oregon Department of Energy, which outlines energy requirements and benchmarking procedures for public buildings. Oregon is also recognized for Governor Brown’s executive orders on energy efficiency and electric vehicles, its strong building energy code programs – which includes a voluntary home energy scoring system – and a transportation/land use system that reduces vehicle miles traveled.
“Even after more than a decade of leadership, our state is seeing meaningful results from energy efficiency year after year,” said ODOE Director Janine Benner. “The Oregon Department of Energy appreciates the enthusiasm Oregonians continue to show for thoughtful energy efficiency programs that help us meet our state energy goals.”
Oregon was ranked number 5 in 2017 and number 7 in 2016.
Learn more about Oregon Department of Energy programs on its website: www.oregon.gov/energy.