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California ranks first in ACEEE’s corrected 2025 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard, followed by Massachusetts and New York. The scorecard compares all 50 states and the District of Columbia on policies and programs that advance energy efficiency; it is a benchmark of state efforts, not a ranking of household energy bills or a directory of currently available rebates.
What the ACEEE State Energy Efficiency Scorecard measures
The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) publishes the scorecard to assess state performance, document best practices, and recognize leadership. Its 2025 edition is the 16th and the first on a biennial schedule, so it primarily reflects policy and program developments over the preceding two years. The report’s purpose and background are described on ACEEE’s 2025 report page.
The scorecard evaluates policy and program activity across six areas:
- Utility energy-efficiency programs
- Transportation
- Buildings
- State-government initiatives
- Industrial energy efficiency
- Appliance standards
These categories mean an overall rank is a composite signal, not a single measure of how much energy residents use or save. A state’s position reflects its results across the policy areas and the measures ACEEE applies within them.
#1 Best Overall
- Insulate and weatherize
Which states rank highest in the 2025 scorecard?
In the corrected 2025 ordering, California is first, Massachusetts second, New York third, and Maryland and Vermont tie for fourth. California scored 93.5 out of 100; ACEEE’s press release says it has claimed the top spot seven times. The following table shows the leading ten positions.
| Rank | State |
|---|---|
| 1 | California |
| 2 | Massachusetts |
| 3 | New York |
| 4 (tie) | Maryland |
| 4 (tie) | Vermont |
| 6 | Washington |
| 7 | Colorado |
| 8 | New Jersey |
| 9 | Oregon |
| 10 | Minnesota |
ACEEE’s 2025 scorecard page and state-rank database provide the full ordering and underlying resources. Consult the corrected ACEEE version when citing ranks or percentages: a correction to duplicated electricity-sales data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration raised scores for 11 states and changed the overall rank of four.
How to interpret a state’s score
For a useful state-to-state comparison, look beyond the overall position. The scorecard’s six policy areas can reveal whether a result is associated with utility savings programs, building codes and performance standards, transportation policies, industrial measures, state-government operations, or appliance rules. Comparing the area-level results alongside the overall rank helps explain what is driving a state’s performance.
The 2025 methodology also adds or strengthens equity-oriented measures, including community engagement, compensation for participation in energy proceedings, and tracking of energy-equity data. That makes it important to consider how states address access and participation as well as efficiency policy itself.
Rank #3
Which states improved most?
Louisiana
Louisiana was the most improved state, rising nine places after adopting a stronger building-energy code.
Colorado
Colorado rose six places and entered the top ten for the first time. ACEEE points to actions involving clean vehicles, building performance, and appliance standards.
New Jersey
New Jersey returned to the top ten for the first time since 2008.
These changes illustrate why rank movement should be read with the policies behind it: a climb in the overall table does not by itself show which programs changed or how much energy a particular household will save.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the scorecard says about efficiency investment
ACEEE estimates that utility energy-efficiency investment totaled $8.8 billion in 2023, including electricity and gas efficiency. The report describes electricity-efficiency investment as reaching a new high that year. It also reports more than $2 billion in annual efficiency investment for low-income households in 2023. These are national investment estimates, not amounts guaranteed to be available to every household.
ACEEE says more than 90% of the increase in 2023 investment was concentrated in Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. This concentration is one reason an increase in national investment should not be read as an even increase across states.
How to use the rankings when looking for rebates or assistance
The scorecard evaluates state policies and programs; it does not guarantee that a particular local rebate or assistance program is open. After reviewing a state’s results, check its energy office or utility program directory for current offers. Confirm the location served, eligibility rules, application deadlines, funding status, and whether the program is still accepting applications. ACEEE links its report and state resources from its 2025 scorecard resource page.
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