Greenest States Ranked by Forbes.com

On October 17, Forbes released its first report ranking America's greenest states. The rankings were established by scoring each state in six categories: carbon footprint, air quality, water quality, hazardous waste management, policy initiatives, and energy consumption. Forbes found that the top “Greenest States” include: Vermont, Oregon, Washington, New Jersey, Rhode Island. Among the least environmentally friendly states were Mississippi, Louisiana, Alabama, Indiana and, West Virginia. For more details, visit forbes.com.

Nobel Peace Prize Awarded for Climate Change Awareness

On October 12, Former Vice President Al Gore and the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change were awarded the 2007 Nobel Peace Prize for their work on increasing global warming awareness. Gore announced he will donate his half of the $1.5 million prize to the Alliance for Climate Protection, an organization he founded, whose mission is to persuade citizens to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. For more information, visit nobelprize.org.

Greenhouse Gas Reduction Potential Study Released

On December 4, National Grid released a study titled “Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions: How Much at What Cost?” The report, published by McKinsey & Co., found that with inventive policies and programs, the United States would be able to reduce greenhouse gases by three gigatons at a cost of approximately $1 trillion by 2030. For more information, read the entire article

$44 Million Committed For Net Zero Energy Homes

On October 19, the Department of Energy announced that it would invest $44 million over five years towards the construction of net zero energy homes. Grants will be distributed to four contact teams from Building America, a private/public partnership that develops energy solutions for new and existing housing. For more information, read Secretary Bodman's speech or visit the Building America Web site.

National Efficiency Group Releases "Vision for 2025" Report

In November, the National Action Plan for Energy Efficiency leadership group released their report “Vision for 2025: Developing a Framework for Change.” The report demonstrates that aggressive energy efficiency strategies over the next 18 years could cut the United States’ energy use by 50 percent or more. The report also states that meeting this goal will cost the country $100 billion. For more information read the full report.

Greenhouse Gas Report Released

On November 28, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) released the 2006 edition of its annual "Emissions of Greenhouse Gases in the United States" report, as  required under the Energy Policy Act of 1992. The report presents the EIA's latest inventory of emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and other greenhouse gases. It finds that total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions in 2006 were 1.5 percent lower than in 2005, and that 2006 carbon dioxide emissions totals were lower than they were in 2003. For more information, read the full report.

Analysis of Federal Energy Bill Released

On December 14, the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy (ACEEE), released an analysis of the federal energy bill. The report found that the bill, as passed by the Senate, would save more than five times as much as the Energy Policy Act of 1992. ACEEE also found that by 2030 the bill could result in a reduction of energy use by nearly 8 percent and carbon dioxide emissions by 10 percent, while savings American consumers more than $400 billion dollars. Details of the report can be found on ACEEE's web site.

Energy Bill Signed into Law

On December 19, President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007. Among others, the bill contains provisions for federal buildings to upgrade all of their lighting; creates an Office of High-Performance Green Buildings; and calls for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by 20 percent in 10 years. For more detail, read the press release.  

New Report Highlights “America’s Clean Energy Stars”

On November 14, Environment America released its report, "America's Clean Energy Stars: State Actions Leading America to a New Energy Future." The report looks at state implementation of energy policies in five areas: renewable electricity standards, clean cars, utility energy efficiency programs, energy efficiency standards for appliances, and building energy codes. Seven states, including Connecticut, New Jersey, New York, and Rhode Island, received Gold Stars in the report. Three Northeast states, Massachusetts, Maine, and Vermont, received Silver Stars for their energy policies. The full report is available at www.environmentamerica.org.

New York Unveils RGGI Regulations

On October 24, Governor Eliot Spitzer unveiled and filed the state’s Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative regulations with the Public Utilities Commission (PUC).  The regulations specify that the state will action off 100 percent of its carbon allowances. Proceeds from the auction will be directs toward energy efficiency and renewable energy programs and projects. For more information read the Governor’s press release

Climate Report Released

In November, the New England Climate Coalition released their 2007 scorecard, which grades the six New England states and five Canadian provinces on their progress towards attaining the 2001 pledge to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent by 2050. The scorecard examines each states’ pollution levels and implemented public policies. All of the states and provinces scored low on their reduction of emissions. Massachusetts scored the highest in this category with a C. In the policy category Quebec received the highest score with a B+, while New Hampshire was the lowest with a C-. Click here to read the full report. 

Decision Reached on 2008 Efficiency Budget

On December 5, the Department of Public Utility Control (DPUC) approved the Connecticut Energy Advisory Board’s (CEAB) 2008 operating budget. The budget of $1,420,000, is funded through the systems benefit charge. For more information, read the order.

Conservation and Load Management 2008 Plan

On October 1, Connecticut Light & Power and United Illuminating filed their 2008 Conservation and Load Management Plan. The docket, 07-10-03, includes an increase in the budget to $85,964,665. For more details, read the entire filing.

Natural Gas 2008 Conservation and Load Management Plan Released

On October 2, the natural gas utilities of Connecticut filed their 2008 Joint conservation and Load Management Plan. The plan, numbered docket 06-03-10, includes ramping up the programs from last year and further coordinating with electric utilities on the development and implementation of programs. For more information, or to follow the proceeding, visit the Connecticut Department of Public Utility Control Web site.

Energy Efficiency Partners Program Docket

On December 27, a technical meeting was held on Docket 07-06-59 concerning the review of the Energy Efficiency Partners Program. The docket was opened as a requirement of House Bill 7432 which calls for the Department of Public Utility control to evaluate and approve potential energy efficiency partners are evaluated and approved to work with the state to reduce electric demand. Click here for more information or visit the Energy Conservation Board Web site to read submitted comments. 

Compact Fluorescent Light Initiative Unveiled

On November 19, Senator Lautenberg, Pacific State Electric & Gas (PSE&G) Chairman and CEO Ralph Izzo, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, New Jersey Board of Public Utilities Commissioners, and various other New Jersey leaders joined together to launch PSE&G’s new initiative to help consumers reduce their energy consumption and energy costs by switching out their incandescent light bulbs with new CFLs. To kick off the Switch and Save program, PSE&G will give away 100,000 CFLs. For more information, read the article.

Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard Proceeding Continues

The proceedings on an energy efficiency portfolio standard (EEPS) continued to develop through the fourth quarter of 2007. In November, the Public Service Commission (PSC) announced that it would hold another roundtable discussion for interested parties involved in energy efficiency and conservation. EEPS working groups also submitted reports to the PSC in December on overall EPS structure; program assessment and development; evaluation, measurement, and verification; and emerging technologies, demand response, and load management. For more information, or to follow the proceeding, visit the PSC Web site.

New York City Unveils Short-Term Action Plan

On December 5, New York City’s Energy Conservation Steering Committee unveiled its short-term climate change action plan. The plan gives guidelines on how the city can attain its target of reducing municipal building emissions by 30 percent by 2017.  In order to reach this goal, the city has committed to directing an amount equal to 10 percent of its energy expenditures to energy efficiency and renewable energy initiatives.  For more details, read the short-term action plan or Mayor Bloomberg's press release.