Maine ranks high in energy efficiency, but not as high as most N.E. states
When it comes to using energy efficiently, Maine does better than most U.S. states, but was ranked next to last in New England by a recent national study.
Maine was No. 14 out of 48 U.S. states, according to new data released by personal finance website WalletHub. The findings, published last week, compared home and automobile energy efficiency in all states except for Hawaii and Alaska, for which data was not available.
The researchers assigned rankings in both categories, as well for overall efficiency based on results those two categories.
New York State was No. 1 overall, followed by Rhode Island (No. 2), Utah (No. 3) and Massachusetts (No. 4).
At No. 14, Maine was next to last among the six New England states. Its No. 33 showing in auto energy efficiency overshadowed its No. 9 ranking for energy efficiency in the home.
Only New Hampshire ranked lower overall, at No. 16, and the Granite State still bested Maine in energy-efficient car usage, placing No. 29 in that category.
Without making specific recommendations for using less energy, researchers found that being more energy-efficient at home could cut a family's utility costs by as much as 25%.
They also estimated that a more fuel-efficient vehicle could save the average driver about $638 a year.
In their introduction, researchers note that energy remains one of the biggest household expenses for American consumers in general.
EV charging program seen as a plus
Martin Grohman, executive director of the Environmental and Energy Council of Maine, told Mainebiz that while it's frustrating that Maine's transportation ranking is so low, "it does not reflect the policies that were enacted in the most recent legislative session."
They included a law authorizing a new electric-vehicle program to promote charging stations and cars, he said, "so I would expect some improvement."
Maine recently joined the growing number of states to offer a rebate or tax on the purchase of electric vehicles, under a program to be funded out of a $5.1 million settlement with German carmaker Volkswagen AG and its affiliates Audi AG and Porsche AG for violating state environmental laws and emissions.
About Maine’s No. 14 overall ranking, Grohman said: "We are lucky to have Efficiency Maine driving in-state results, and you can see that in the ranking."
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