Massachusetts surpasses energy-efficiency goals for fourth straight year
March 5, 2015 | By
Barbara Vergetis Lundin
For the second year in the 2013-2015 three-year efficiency plans, 2014 set "top-in-the-nation targets" for energy-efficiency savings in Massachusetts, producing large consumer savings and environmental benefits, according to preliminary data released by Acadia Center, a nonprofit clean energy research and advocacy organization, and the program administrators of Mass Save. Mass Save is an initiative sponsored by Massachusetts' gas and electric utilities and energy-efficiency service providers, including Columbia Gas of Massachusetts, Berkshire Gas Company, Cape Light Compact, Eversource, National Grid, Liberty Utilities, and Unitil. Specifically, the programs produced an estimated $3.14 billion in total savings for Massachusetts, achieving 110 percent and 121 percent of 2014 goals for electric and gas benefits, respectively. With these results, the Commonwealth is far exceeding its energy-efficiency targets and is also on track to meet targets in the state's Clean Energy Climate Plan. Further, for the last four years, Massachusetts has been ranked number one on American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy's (ACEEE) national energy-efficiency scorecard of state efficiency efforts. Much of the expansion of energy efficiency during 2014 has been significant growth in residential sector programs, including widespread adoption of LED lights, home insulation and installation of highly efficient heating equipment. Beyond the direct energy savings for those who implement these services, according to the report, 2014 efficiency investments yielded an estimated electric demand savings equivalent to a 172 MW power plant; 1,305 GWh of annual electric savings (enough to power more than 171,770 homes for a year); 28.2 million therms of annual gas savings (enough to heat more than 29,500 homes for a year); 476,531 MMBtu of oil saved; and annual greenhouse gas reductions of 1.56 million tons, which is equivalent to removing more than 326,000 cars from the road. "With the drafting of the 2016-2018 plan beginning soon, Massachusetts has an opportunity to build on the progress we've seen to-date and bring even more benefits for homes and businesses," said Amy Boyd, Acadia Center Senior Attorney who serves on the EEAC. For more: © 2015 FierceMarkets, a division of Questex Media Group LLC. All rights reserved. |