A June 2014 study by Ceres highlighted the top electric utilities for renewable energy and efficiency. In an article discussing the findings, Utility Dive suggested that there are “wide disparities […] in the extent to which electric utilities currently deliver renewable energy and energy efficiency.”
To find the source of these disparities, look no further than the state policies governing these “leaders.”
For example, #1 ranked NV Energy (Nevada) is required to meet a 25% renewable energy standard by 2025. Xcel Energy, ranked #2 is required to deliver just over 27% renewable energy no later than 2020 (a weighted average across its service territories in Minnesota, Colorado, New Mexico, & Wisconsin).* Pacific Gas & Electric (#3), Sempra Energy (#4), and Edison International (#5) are California’s three investor-owned utilities, all facing a 33% by 2020 renewable energy standard.
State Policy Makes Renewable Energy Leaders Among Utilities
Five top-ranked utilities, serving five states with ambitious renewable energy policies. Hardly coincidence.
The top utilities for energy efficiency? Four of the five from above, substituting Northeast Utilities for NV Energy. Let’s see how the energy efficiency policies in the states where they operate stack up.
The three California utilities make the top 5 list, and the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) rates California’s energy efficiency policy #2 in the nation. Northeast Utilities serves primarily Massachusetts and Connecticut customers, ranked #1 and #5 respectively. Xcel Energy may be the only surprise. The weighted average of state energy efficiency policies where it serves is #15. And why didn’t NV Energy make the list? Perhaps because state energy efficiency policy in Nevada ranks #33 according to ACEEE.
State Policy Makes Energy Efficiency Leaders Among Utilities
Five top-ranked utilities, and at least four in states with ambitious energy efficiency policies. Hardly coincidence here, either.
There’s nothing wrong with applauding electric utilities for advancing toward a more efficient, low-carbon electricity system, but neither should we overlook who’s responsible. It’s state legislators that have forced these energy companies into leadership, and who have received plaudits or penalties at the ballot box.
As for the utilities, there’s no doubt they are competent at complying with the law.
A campaign was launched last week in which celebrities, business leaders, environmentalists, politicians and school kids around the world communicate their hopes for life on earth by 2020. These hopes are being conveyed as part of the 2020 Vision campaign launched by 
A recent event sponsored by the British High Commission on climate change and low-carbon business drew out into the open a serious issue. As many are aware, should the temperature rise as much as 4 degrees Celsius (or about 7 degrees Fahrenheit) due to climate change, some serious problems for countries around the world will emerge.