Oregon was recognized as the ninth most energy-efficient state according to the 2025 State Energy Efficiency Scorecard by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE), up from 11th in 2022. This year’s improvement reflects Oregon’s commitment to energy efficiency through decades of policies and programs aimed at reducing energy consumption, including the programs offered by Energy Trust of since 2001.
This report ranks the 50 states and the District of Columbia on their policies and programs to advance energy efficiency, reflecting data primarily from 2023 and 2024. All states are scored on six policy areas: utility and public benefits programs and policies, transportation policies, building energy efficiency policies, state government initiatives, industry energy efficiency policies and appliance and equipment efficiency standards. California ranked first, followed by Massachusetts, New York, Maryland, Vermont, Washington, Colorado and New Jersey.
During this reporting period, state energy efficiency investments hit a record yearly high of approximately $8.8 billion. This includes around $2 billion to support low-income households—nearly twice as much as in 2021.
“American families have endured years of rising costs and need relief. Energy efficiency upgrades lower utility bills, and now is the time for state policymakers and regulators to help more families see those savings,” Mark Kresowik, lead author of the report, said in a news release.
The report specifically highlighted Energy Trust’s efforts to track on equitable distribution of program participation, benefits and impacts through its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Operations Plan. It also called out Oregon’s Energy Affordability Act as an example of steps states have taken to support customers with high energy burdens.
ACEEE’s report notes that policies to support energy savings in existing buildings have increased in importance in recent years. These policies are expected to result in significant energy savings, and they carried added weight in this year’s scorecard.
Oregon received high marks for adopting building performance measures for existing buildings—only three other states (Colorado, Maryland and Washington) and the District of Columbia have done so. These initiatives demonstrate the proactive steps Oregon has taken to improve energy efficiency in the built environment. Through its resources and incentives, Energy Trust assists building owners and managers in implementing necessary upgrades to comply with the new standards, contributing to the state’s overall energy efficiency goals.
The report also recognizes the Oregon Department of Energy (ODOE), which plays a vital role in shaping the state’s energy policies, managing energy programs and providing technical expertise to help Oregonians reduce energy consumption. ODOE administers programs like the Community Renewable Energy Grant Program, which supports local clean energy projects and efficiency upgrades. Additionally, ODOE collaborates with state and regional partners, including Energy Trust, to advance grid resilience, transportation electrification and energy affordability initiatives, ensuring that all communities benefit from Oregon’s clean energy transition.
Since the scorecard started in 2006, Oregon has been in the top ten 15 times, topped only by California, Massachusetts, Vermont and New York.