Massachusetts dethroned from energy efficiency top spot Updated December 17, 2020, 8:34 p.m. Email to a Friend ENERGY Massachusetts dethroned from energy efficiency top spot Massachusetts has been dislodged from its spot atop the annual âEnergy Efficiency Scorecardâ by California, coming in at second place for 2020. For the first time since 2010, Massachusetts did not rank No. 1 or tie for the top position with another state in the ranking of state energy efficiency efforts by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy. California and Massachusetts are typically close in this competition; they even tied in 2016. The ACEEE praised California for adopting net-zero energy building codes and stringent vehicle emissions standards, crafting incentives to buy high-efficiency heat-pump water heaters, leading the charge on vehicle electrification, and strengthening efficiency standards for lighting and appliances. Massachusetts, meanwhile, was lauded for state efforts to integrate efficiency rules with electrification and strategies to reduce carbon emissions from buildings. Vermont was No. 3 this year, and Rhode Island was No. 4. â JON CHESTO