New Energy Solutions News

Environment Massachusetts Says State “Poised For Gold Star”

BOSTON – Massachusetts has earned a silver star for its national leadership in saving energy and requiring more clean and efficient cars, according to a report released today by Environment Massachusetts. But a new energy bill announced last week by Speaker DiMasi, Governor Patrick, and Senate President Murray would, if it passes, bump the state up to the top tier among states, earning it a gold star.

The Environment America report, “America’s Clean Energy Stars: State Actions Leading America to a New Energy Future,” praised Massachusetts and a number of other states for adopting a mix of policies to promote clean energy that can provide a model for the entire nation.  In releasing the report, Environment Massachusetts called on Congress to follow the lead of the states by passing a strong energy bill that increases renewable energy, fuel economy and energy conservation. Click here to read the report.

In Massachusetts, energy policy has been at the top of many political leaders’ agendas in the past year.  The Patrick Administration has re-entered Massachusetts into the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, a regional pact to reduce global warming pollution from the electricity sector, and committed the state to auction 100% of the pollution permits from this process - a decision that environmental groups agree will ensure the deepest cuts in emissions at the lowest cost to consumers.  The Administration has also shown leadership on clean energy projects including Cape Wind and has initiated the process of decoupling, which will incentivize utilities to invest in energy efficiency.  Legislative leaders including Speaker DiMasi, Senate President Murray, Chairman Dempsey, and Chairman Morrissey have been working on bold legislative initiatives to promote new energy solutions as well.

“Governor Patrick is committed to making Massachusetts the global center for clean energy innovation – it is both an environmental imperative and a major economic opportunity,” said Ian Bowles, Governor Patrick’s Energy and Environmental Secretary. “Together with the legislative leaders, we have crafted new legislation that will make the Bay State second to none in leadership on energy efficiency and renewable energy.  We will continue to work closely with our Congressional delegation to curb energy costs and drive our nation toward a clean energy future.”

“Massachusetts is rising to our nation’s energy challenge by taking action to reduce energy consumption and promote clean renewable energy. Speaker DiMasi, Gov. Patrick, and Senate President Murray deserve tremendous credit for helping to lead the nation,” said Diana Connett, Energy Associate with Environment Massachusetts.  “While we can and should do even more to meet our energy challenges, our leaders in Washington should start following the lead of our state and other gold star states.  If they follow the road map provided by the new energy bill just announced by the Speaker, Governor and Senate President, they ought to pass a strong federal energy bill this year that saves energy, saves oil and moves America toward a new energy future.” 

"We continue to work very hard on proposed legislation that will make energy reform a reality in Massachusetts," Senate President Therese Murray said. "Our efforts will put the Commonwealth at the forefront of energy efficiency and alternative fuel practices. New incentives will encourage utilities to provide services more efficiently and promote conservation to bring down soaring energy prices while pushing us forward on a new frontier of opportunity and economic development."

“Massachusetts is a leader in energy issues and we will continue to work towards advancing clean, efficient, home grown energy sources like solar, biomass, and wind.  Through legislation this session we will continue to build on the great strides we have made in renewable energy encouragement while also looking at innovative solutions like efficiency-first energy procurement and ways to advance energy efficiency in our buildings throughout the Commonwealth.  Being at the mercy of global market energy forces, we must strive towards more renewable energy development and bio-diesel sources and lessen our dependence on fossil fuels,” said Senator Morrissey, the Senate Chair of the Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy.

In developing the report, Environment America researchers looked at five areas of cutting-edge clean energy policy adopted by the state governments: renewable electricity standards, the Clean Cars Program, utility energy efficiency programs, energy efficiency standards for appliances, and building energy codes. 

“The energy challenge facing America demands bold action at every level.  Here in Massachusetts, we have begun to take action. We need to do more and the current energy bill will move us forward, but we cannot do it alone,” said Connett.  “We are counting on Congress to join us as we work together to achieve the promise of a new energy future for America.” 

A number of states, including Massachusetts, were spotlighted for special recognition in the report.  

·    Seven states – California, Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island and Washington – were highlighted as “gold star” clean energy states for adopting strong policies in at least four of these areas.

·    Massachusetts is one of five states – Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Pennsylvania and Vermont – highlighted as “silver star” clean energy states for adopting strong policies in at least two areas and meaningful policies in one to two others. The new energy bill announced last week would bump the state up to “gold star” status.

·    Nine states – Arizona, Colorado, Delaware, Illinois, Minnesota, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Mexico and Wisconsin – were highlighted as “rising star” clean energy states in recognition of their strong recent actions to promote energy efficiency and the use of renewable sources of energy.

“State leaders have begun to move us in the right direction on energy, but we must do a lot more at every level of government,” said Rob Sargent, Energy Program Director for Environment America, which is Environment Massachusetts’ new national lobbying office. “Congress should pass a strong energy bill that saves oil by increasing fuel economy for cars and light trucks to at least 35 MPG and increases America’s use of clean energy by requiring at least 15% of our electricity to come from renewable energy.”

The report will be available at www.environmentmassachusetts.org/reports and www.environmentamerica.org

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Background on the Environment America Clean Energy Stars Report

States that have adopted these five strategies are making a significant difference in addressing America’s energy challenges.  

• Renewable electricity standards already adopted by 25 states and the District of Columbia would reduce global warming pollution by about 2 percent of current levels, the equivalent of taking more than 21 million cars off the road and would generate enough power to meet more than 5 percent of America’s current power needs. 

• The Clean Cars Program adopted by 12 states would reduce global warming emissions from cars and light trucks by approximately 74 million metric tons per year by 2020 – a little over 1 percent of U.S. emissions in 2006 and the equivalent of taking 13.6 million cars off the road and would reduce gasoline consumption by as much as Florida uses in a year. 

• Energy efficiency programs and standards.  If every state were to achieve the energy savings already achieved by the most effective state programs, the United States could reduce electricity consumption by about 8 percent compared to business-as-usual levels in 2020, and avoid as much global warming pollution as taking nearly 49 million cars off the road, approximately 4 percent of current U.S. emissions.

• Appliance efficiency standards adopted by 12 states since 2002 led to the federal government adopting some of these standards.  The state standards combined with the federal standards leveraged by the state action, will reduce U.S. carbon dioxide emissions by about 1 percent of current levels, the equivalent of taking nearly 12 million cars off the road.  And, they will save enough energy to meet about 2 percent of U.S. electricity consumption in 2005 or enough to power 7.4 million American homes. 

• Building energy codes.  Updated residential building codes have adopted in 14 states and the latest commercial codes have been adopted in 17 states.  If every state adopted and enforced the most recent codes, America could reduce emissions by nearly 1%, the equivalent of taking 9 million cars off the road and could avoid the need for 32 new 400 MW power plants.