Oklahoma 43rd in Promoting Energy Efficiency

A new report says Oklahoma is tied for 43rd in the nation for promoting energy efficiency to boost the economy, meet electricity demands, combat global warming and contribute to the nation's security. An analysis by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy states that Oklahoma's score was zero in five of eight categories that were examined, the Tulsa World reported from its Washington bureau.

Categories included efficiency programs and policies in the utility sector, transportation and land-use policies, appliance standards, energy efficiency in public buildings and research, development and deployment. Oklahoma's highest score — four out of a possible eight — came in the building code category. Its overall score was 5.5 out of 50. California topped the groups rankings with a score of 40.5, followed by Oregon, 37; Connecticut, 36; Vermont, 33; and New York, 32.5. Of Oklahoma's neighbors, Texas was ranked highest, with an overall score of 16 points, which put it in a five-way tie for 19th place.

Steve Nadel, the group's executive director, said energy efficiency should be viewed as the first fuel in the bid for a clean and secure resource because it is less expensive, cleaner and quicker to implement than others.