U.S. states could reduce energy consumption by as much as 30 percent by adopting energy-saving measures, according to a new study by the American Council for an Energy Efficient Economy. Climate Wire's (subscription required) story last week about the report's release showed some pretty strong evidence for energy efficiency; combustion engines in most cars waste 62 percent of their energy due to friction and heat, and two-thirds of energy from power plants disappears.

At least one state, Maryland, gets the importance of energy efficiency and has brand new legislation to prove it.