Web site of the month: ACEEE State Energy-efficiency Policy database

Since 1980, American Council for an Energy-efficient Economy has come to be recognized as an energy efficiency leader for our outstanding analysis, advocacy and expertise. (Artwork by ACEEE)

It just became easier for busy utility professionals to keep track of new and changing energy-efficiency policies in their home states. The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), a long-time champion of energy efficiency as our first and least-cost "fuel," recently unveiled a new Web site for state policymakers and energy-efficiency advocates.

The state energy-efficiency policy database is a comprehensive gateway to detailed information on a variety of state energy policies. "This Web site builds on the extensive research regarding energy efficiency policies and programs for which ACEEE has become well known over the past 28 years," said ACEEE's project manager Sarah Black. "The database will serve as a portal to original ACEEE research as well as resources elsewhere on the Web."

Visitors may search by state, or by policy area, including appliance standards, building codes, clean distributed generation policies, tax incentives, vehicle policies and utility-related energy efficiency information. ACEEE plans to expand it to also cover state climate policies and smart growth initiatives.

Search by state

The database home page shows a map of the United States that visitors can click on to learn about specific states' policies. Below the map are links to ACEEE reports on state-level innovation and detailed state-level analysis. Visitors download pdf versions of ACEEE reports for free, or order hard copies for a fee. 

The state pages list the policy areas with a check box next each one to indicate whether or not the state has that policy. Links are provided to more detailed policy information if it is available. Each page also includes the state's ACEEE energy-efficiency ranking and a link to council's 2008 state scorecard.

Search by policy

The policy pages offer a brief explanation of the topic, links to related resources and ACEEE reports on the subject, if available. The search button allows visitors to select a state—those states without that type of policy will not appear on the list.

State pages describe the policy, provide links to helpful state Web sites and may contain links to the original legislation. Visitors will also find state-level contact information on these pages. 

Utility policies

ACEEE's information on utility programs is very thorough. In addition to a summary of the state policy, the pages list different program areas with check boxes for the programs the state offers. Those include programs for customer energy efficiency, energy-efficiency funding, energy-efficiency resource standards, decoupling, reward structures for successful programs and energy efficiency as a resource. The program areas are linked to more detailed explanations further down the page.

Decision-makers, businesses, concerned citizens and others in the energy efficiency community will find the database an invaluable resource for existing state "best practices." ACEEE rolled out the complete version of the Web site in October, and anticipates updating it on a quarterly basis as new policies emerge.

Resources

American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy

State energy-efficiency policy database

Energy Efficiency's Next Generation: Innovation at the State Level

State energy policy reports

ACEEE Publication order

2008 State energy-efficiency scorecard

Utility energy-efficiency programs

< PREVIOUS — NEXT >