Three-Year Efficiency Program in MA a Success

This past December, the Massachusetts Energy and Environmental Affairs (EEA) released the results of the Commonwealth’s three-year energy efficiency plan (2010-2012). According to Rick Sullivan, the EEA’s secretary, efficiency improvements on a homeowner, business, and government agency basis yielded dramatic electric, natural gas, and greenhouse gas emissions reductions. Massachusetts invested more in energy efficiency per capita than any other state, and the resources paid off. The Patrick Administration program, approved by the Department of Public Utilities in 2010, produced 2,390 GWh, 49 million therms, and 1.4 million metric tons of energy savings and greenhouse gas reductions.

Per the Energy and Environmental Affairs, these reductions are equivalent to taking approximately 290,000 cars off the road (in greenhouse gas reduction terms), the annual electricity consumption of 314,000 homes, and the natural gas usage of 52,000 homes. Even more positive, the plan was most effective in 2012.

The success of three-year plan is a large reason why the American Council for an Energy-Efficiency Economy (ACEEE) ranked Massachusetts as number one in the Statewide Energy Efficiency Scorecard for 2011, 2012, and 2013, including naming Boston the most energy-efficient city in the country in September 2013. The state is continuing its dedication to maintaining a high level of energy efficiency and improving its current level. The plans for 2013-2015 are projected to deliver nearly $9 billion in benefits from a $2.2 billion investment. The Patrick Administration’s efforts have also improved the job market in Massachusetts; almost 80,000 people are employed in the clean tech industry in the Commonwealth.