State Energy Efficiency Policy Database

Policy: M.G.L. Chapter 25B, § 1, et seq., Appliance Efficiency Standards Act

Description: Having originally adopted standards in 1986, Massachusetts was one of the first states to adopt appliance standards after California paved the way in 1974. In 2005, Massachusetts expanded its appliance standards legislation to cover seven products. The federal Energy Policy Act of 2005 and the Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, however, introduced standards that preempted state standards for five of those products. New products that are considered for state standards are adopted through the Division of Energy Resources (DOER). 

In 2009, Massachusetts developed an application for a waiver of federal standards for gas furnace (and fans) minimum efficiency in order to implement its own, more stringent, standard; it is the only state to have done so. Their waiver application helped spur manufacturer interest in a negotiated federal standard. The rulemakings for these two products is still ongoing. Federal standards will preempt Massachusetts' standards for furnaces and fans in 2013 and 2017, respectively. 

Links:

• To read the text of the statute, please click here.
• Visit ASAP to peruse the list of products for which Massachusetts has adopted standards.

Contact:

Public Information Officer
Massachusetts Division of Energy Resources
100 Cambridge Street
Suite 1020
Boston, MA 02110-1313
Phone: (617) 626-7300 
Fax: (617) 727-0030
E-Mail: DOER.Energy@State.MA.US