EnergyTrends.org Ranks Renewable Energy Leaders

Lisanne Boling, EnergyTrends.org

Vermont, Pennsylvania and California ranked as the most friendly to renewable energy according to new rankings from EnergyTrends.org.

EnergyTrends.org’s ranking system takes not only state policies into account but also energy consumption and generation data. Other factors considered include growth of renewable energy, state programs for renewable energy, and other factors. Bonus points are awarded for categories such as grid-connected renewable installations, dynamic pricing for power utility consumers, and integration of electric vehicles.

EnergyTrends.org’s unique ranking system considers all energy data on a per-person basis. This commitment allows readers to compare their states’ energy patterns, and establishes a new perspective through this prism. California, for instance, often depicted as the leader in renewable energy, when taken on a per-person basis comes in third in the nation.

Currently Vermont is ranked as the most-friendly state for renewable energy, moving up three places from last year’s results. The Green Mountain state earned a grade of B+, with strong growth in electricity generated from wind and hydroelectric power. Likewise, Pennsylvania saw an increase in its wind and hydroelectric power generation between 2010 and 2011. Pennsylvania’s increase in the use of renewable energy and decline in overall energy consumption moved it from 19^th in the country to 2^nd for the most friendly to renewable energy according to the 2011 data.

All three leading states ranked low in energy consumed per-person. Vermont ranked 41^st, Pennsylvania 32^nd and California 47^th.

The latest EnergyTrends.org rankings reflect improvement in the use of renewable energy; however, with the leading overall score at 72 it still leaves considerable room for further integration of renewable energy countrywide.