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SANTA FE — During recent national appearances, Gov. Bill Richardson has pushed New Mexico as the clean-energy state. He's even bragged that we have eclipsed California as No. 1 in that category.

And since he took office, Richardson has been on the sustainability bandwagon, pushing for more renewable energy in the state and better fuel standards nationwide.

But a report card from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy says New Mexico ranks in the middle of the pack - 24th in the nation - when it comes to efficiency programs, policies and technologies.

The report card released Tuesday ranked states on eight categories. New Mexico did best for its building codes, scoring a four out of five. It did worst for its appliance standards and its energy efficiency resources standards. Overall, the state scored 11 of a possible 44 points.

California, Vermont and Connecticut tied for No. 1, according to the council, a nonprofit that promotes energy efficiency as a way to promote economic prosperity and environmental protection.

New Mexico would have done better had the group looked at renewable energy programs, said its acting executive director and report co-author, Bill Prindle.

"New Mexico has done a lot of good in the renewables area," he said. "If (we) would have included renewables, New Mexico would have ranked a lot higher."

Among the categories that were included, the state got a zero out of three for its appliance standards.

"Twelve states have pursued appliance standards, but New Mexico isn't one of them," Prindle said.

But Richardson's office said the report leaves out a lot of the positive things the governor has done since taking office in 2003, including 13 clean-energy bills approved this year by the Legislature and signed into law.

The state welcomes the score card, spokesman Allan Oliver said, and it appreciates the council's recognition of New Mexico's tax incentives to purchase hybrid cars and improved standards for energy-efficient building codes.

"But the report fails to capture our state's clean energy leadership," Oliver said, noting the creation of the nation's first Renewable Energy Transmission Authority, establishing an aggressive renewable-energy portfolio standard and being the first state to join the Chicago Climate Exchange to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

The group gave the state a 1.5 out of three for leading by example.

Oliver listed five examples of governor initiatives to contradict that finding, including Richardson's executive order in 2006 to require a 50 percent improvement in energy use in new building buildings.

As for New Mexico's ranking on the energy efficiency resources standards, the Governor's Office cited the state's Efficient Use of Energy Act, which directs public utilities to develop and fund energy-efficiency programs. The act could reduce per capita energy consumption by 20 percent, the office says.

The governor will be pushing for additional energy-related bills in the 2008 session, Oliver said.

State Republicans say the state's ranking reflects poorly on the governor.

"Richardson's pandering and grandstanding on an array of issues, from energy to immigration, are finally catching up with him on the national stage," said GOP spokesman Scott Darnell. "Publicity stunts and flashy sayings do not translate into results."

The report comes as Congress is considering a giant energy bill. The group had that fact in mind, and wanted to highlight leaders, Prindle said.

"The states are taking the boldest steps with these policies," he said.

"The message to Congress is that `Hey, states have proven that these things can work.' "