NH ranked 21st most energy efficient state

According to a new report from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), New Hampshire ranks 21st in the nation for energy efficiency. 

ACEEE praised New Hampshire for the following energy efficiency policies:

• An Energy Efficiency Resource Standard, which requires utilities to implement energy efficiency programs and is funded by a charge on electricity bills
• A building code that includes energy efficiency standards
• Energy savings goals and benchmarks for state-owned buildings and vehicles

However, ACEEE noted several shortcomings in energy efficiency in the Granite State. New Hampshire lacks programs to encourage energy efficiency in transportation, does not have any programs to encourage combined heat and power initiatives, and has old standards for energy efficiency in appliances.

New Hampshire also scored lowest in New England. Massachusetts ranked first in the nation for energy efficiency. Rhode Island came in third, Vermont fourth, Connecticut sixth, and Maine thirteenth.

North Dakota came in last place in the ranking.

Supporters of energy efficiency subsidies and grant programs generally argue that energy efficiency improvements will save ratepayers money in the long-term. They argue the low income households, in particular, need help from the state to make their homes more energy efficient.

Opponents of energy efficiency subsidies and grant programs argue that if there is not private money to fund the programs, they must not be a good investment, and therefore ratepayers should not shoulder the costs.

How would you rate New Hampshire's efforts to increase energy efficiency? Share your opinion in the comments below.