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What the ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard measures
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) published the scorecard’s 16th edition in 2025. It covers all 50 states and the District of Columbia, assessing policy and program efforts that advance energy efficiency, documenting practices, and recognizing leadership. The 2025 report is the first on ACEEE’s new biennial schedule, and its evidence primarily reflects developments during the preceding two years. ACEEE’s report and resource page describes the scorecard’s purpose and methodology.
The evaluation covers six policy areas:
- Utility energy-efficiency programs
- Transportation
- Buildings
- State-government initiatives
- Industrial energy efficiency
- Appliance standards
Because the overall result combines these different areas, a state’s rank is not a direct measure of energy costs, household consumption, or the savings an individual resident will receive. To understand what a state did well, look at its results by policy area and the policies behind them.
Corrected 2025 rankings
California scored 93.5 out of 100 and ranked first. ACEEE says it has claimed the top spot seven times. Massachusetts placed second and New York third; Maryland and Vermont tied for fourth.
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| Rank | State |
|---|---|
| 1 | California |
| 2 | Massachusetts |
| 3 | New York |
| T-4 | Maryland |
| T-4 | Vermont |
| 6 | Washington |
| 7 | Colorado |
| 8 | New Jersey |
| 9 | Oregon |
| 10 | Minnesota |
This is the top ten only; ACEEE’s 2025 scorecard page and rank database provide the complete ordering and state-level information.
ACEEE corrected its 2025 release after finding duplicated electricity-sales data from the Energy Information Administration. The corrected version raised scores for 11 states and changed the overall ranking of four states. Use the corrected ACEEE resources when citing a rank or percentage rather than relying on an earlier release. ACEEE’s corrected report resource is the relevant reference.
States that made notable gains
Louisiana
Louisiana was the most improved state, rising nine places after adopting a stronger building-energy code.
Colorado
Colorado climbed six places to enter the top ten for the first time. ACEEE connects the change to actions involving clean vehicles, building performance, and appliance standards.
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New Jersey
New Jersey returned to the top ten for the first time since 2008. These changes are described in ACEEE’s 2025 scorecard and its 2025 announcement.
What the investment figures say—and what they do not
ACEEE estimated utility energy-efficiency investment at $8.8 billion in 2023, including gas-efficiency investment; utility electricity-efficiency investment reached a new high that year. It also reported more than $2 billion in annual efficiency investment for low-income households in 2023. These are national investment estimates, not amounts received by each household or a state-by-state measure of rebates.
More than 90% of the increase in 2023 investment was concentrated in Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, according to ACEEE. That concentration matters when interpreting a national rise: the increase was not evenly distributed across states. The figures and correction are covered in ACEEE’s corrected 2025 report resource and its press release.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.How to use the scorecard for a state comparison
For a useful comparison, check more than the headline rank. A state can place well overall while having weaker results in a particular area that matters to you. Review:
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- Results across all six policy areas
- Change since the prior edition, keeping in mind the 2025 report’s shift to a biennial schedule
- Low-income and equity provisions, including community engagement, compensation for participation in energy proceedings, and tracking of energy-equity data
- The concrete policies and programs underlying each result
These equity-oriented measures are among the areas added or strengthened in the 2025 methodology. The scorecard is a policy benchmark, not a directory guaranteeing that a particular utility offer or assistance program is currently open. For current rebates or help with energy costs, check your state energy office or utility program directly and confirm eligibility, dates, funding, and availability.
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