California widens lead over Mass. in clean-tech index
For the third straight year, Massachusetts ranked second in a ranking of states based on the strength of their clean-tech activities, with California widening its lead (94-78.8) over the Bay State and topping the index for the sixth consecutive year.
Clean Edge, a research and indexing firm, on Tuesday released its annual U.S. index ratings, which measure adoption of renewable energy and other factors such as patent, technology and investment activity.
According to the firm, California in 2014 became the first state to receive 5 percent of its electricity from "utility-care" solar power. The Golden State also has three of the four top clean-tech metro areas, whereas Boston placed eighth in the index rankings of metro areas.
"With 55,000 people employed in its booming solar industry alone, a carbon market in place with its AB32 trading scheme, and a 50 percent renewables goal by 2030 set by Governor Jerry Brown, California sets the pace for what a clean-energy economy looks like," the report said.
California led Massachusetts by 15.2 points, expanding on its 14.3-point margin in last year's index.
Massachusetts' score dropped by less than a point this year, and the Bay State lost its nation-leading ranking in capital to California, while rising four spots in the technology rankings to reach eighth, "reflecting a major policy and industry push to deploy more clean energy under the administration of former Governor Deval Patrick." Massachusetts again ranked tops in the nation for clean-tech policies.
Utility-scale wind and solar power combined for 47 percent of new U.S. generation capacity last year, and 11 states now generate more than 10 percent of their electricity from non-hydro renewable energy sources, with Iowa, South Dakota, and Kansas exceeding 20 percent.
When including hydropower, Idaho, Washington, Oregon, and South Dakota now exceed 70 percent renewables generation, according to Clean Edge.
Oregon (72), Colorado (67) and New York (65) rounded out the top five.
"As cities, states, and nations announce ambitious renewable energy goals, such as California's 50 percent target by 2030, and Hawaii's 100 percent target by 2045, tracking data and comparative performance is critical," Clean Edge managing director Ron Pernick said in a statement. "We aim to provide transparency and insights as the market moves towards the goal of a low-carbon, and even zero-carbon, economy.
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