State and Local Policy Database

Lakeland

City Scorecard Rank

n/a

Lakeland, FL

Scored out of 250Updated 05/2024
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 0.5 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All

Climate Mitigation Goal

The city does not have a community-wide climate mitigation or greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal.

Energy Reduction Goal

We did not find information regarding a community-wide energy reduction goal for the city.

Renewable Energy Goal

We did not find information regarding a community-wide renewable energy goal for the city.

Last updated: September 2021

Equity-Driven Approaches to Clean Energy Planning, Implementation, and EvaluationList All

Equity-Driven Community Engagement

We were unable to determine whether relevant decision-makers have taken a unique and expanded approach in conducting engagement for multiple clean energy initiatives with marginalized groups compared to engagement with other city constituencies.

Equity-Driven Decision-Making

We were unable to determine if the city has created a formal role for marginalized community residents or local organizations representing those communities to participate in decision-making that affects the creation or implementation of a local energy, sustainability, or climate action plan.

Equity Accountability Measures

We were unable to determine whether the city has adopted specific goals, metrics, or protocols to track how multiple energy, sustainability, or climate action initiatives are affecting local marginalized groups. 
 

Last updated: September 2021

Clean Distributed Energy ResourcesList All

We could not verify if the city has adopted a formal policy, rule, or agreement that supports the creation of clean distributed energy systems.

Last updated: September 2021

Adaptive Mitigation List All

UHI Mitigation Goal

We could not verify if the city has adopted a quantifiable urban heat island mitigation goal.

UHI Policies and Programs

Lakeland requires a permit for private tree removal. 

Last updated: September 2021

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce DevelopmentList All

We could not verify if the city has programs committed to developing a dedicated energy efficiency and/or renewable energy workforce.

Last updated: July 2021

Buildings Policies
Score: 3 out of 30 points
Building Energy CodesList All

Overview

Effective 2021, Florida law requires that residential and commercial buildings comply with the 7th Edition Florida Building Code. The code is based on the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code with state amendments. Cities are not permitted to adopt codes more stringent than the state codes. To learn more about Florida’s building energy codes, please visit the State Policy Database.

Commercial

Commercial buildings must comply with the state code. The code uses a commercial zEPI score of 52.5.

Residential

Residential buildings must comply with the state code. The code uses a residential zEPI score of 60.7.

Solar-readiness policies

We could not find information on whether the city has adopted solar-ready ordinances.

EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies

We could not find information on whether the city has adopted EV-ready ordinances.

Low-energy use requirements

We could not find information on whether the city sets low-energy use requirements for municipal or certain private buildings.

Last updated: October 2021

Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All

Lakeland requires plan reviews, site inspections and performance testing to verify energy code compliance. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.

Last updated: July 2021

Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All

Incentives

Lakeland Electric provides rebates for energy efficiency improvements to residential and commercial customers. 

Last updated: August 2021

Transportation
Score: 3.5 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All

Sustainable Transportation Plan

No data or the city is not pursuing. 

VMT/GHG Target and Stringency

The City of Lakeland does not yet have a codified VMT reduction target.

Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets

The City of Lakeland is not yet tracking community GHG or VMT levels

Last Updated: November 2021

Location Efficiency List All

Location Efficient Zoning 

The City of Lakeland's land development code identifies several districts and overlays within whch mixed use developemnt is encouraged and has provisions for transit oriented corridors. 

Residential Parking Requirement

Minimum parking requirements for different types of development are 1  parking spot per dwelling unit (with the exception of multi-family housing for the elderly which only requires .5 spaces per unit).

Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosures

No data or the city is not pursuing. 

Last Updated: November 2021

Mode Shift List All

Mode Shift Target 

At this time, the City does not have a codified mode share target for trips within the city.

Progress Toward Mode Shift Target

No progress has been achieved, as there are no targets in place.

Complete Streets

The City of Lakeland has a complete streets policy. 

Last Updated: November 2021

Public Transit List All

Transportation Funding

The transportation entities that serve the City of Lakeland have received $8,431,550.00 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $11.91 per capita between 2015 and 2019 within the Authority's service area. 

Access to Transit Services

The Transit Connectivity Index measures transit service levels. It is based on the number of bus routes and train stations within walking distance for households scaled by frequency of service. The City of Lakeland's Transit Connectivity Index value is 2.9, scoring 0 points in the City Scorecard.

Last Updated: November 2021

Efficient VehiclesList All

Vehicle Purchase Incentives

There are several incentives toward EV purchase for Lakeland residents that can be accessed through various regional utilities. 

The Jacksonville Electric Authority offers a rebate to customers seeking to purchase a new PEV.

The Orlando Utilities Commission provides rebates of $200 to customers who purchase or lease one of a select group of PEV models. 

The Kissimmee Utility Authority provides rebates of $100 to residential customers for the purchase of a new EV.

Incentives for EV Charging Stations

The Kissimmee Utility Authority provides rebates of $100 for the installation of a household vehicle charger. 

EV Infrastructure

The City has 22 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 19.6 ports per 100,000 people.

Electric School Bus Goal

Lakeland does not have an electric school bus goal.

EV Transit Bus Goal

Lakeland does not have an EV transit bus goal.

Last Updated: November 2021

Freight System EfficiencyList All

The City of Lakeland does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.

Last Updated: November 2021

Clean, Efficient Transportation for Low-Income CommunitiesList All

Affordable New TOD Housing Policy 

Lakeland does not have any policies in place to address or help encourage affordable TOD housing development. 

Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options

Neither the City of Lakeland nor the transit authority that services the city's residents provide rebates or incentives that better connect low-income residents to efficient transportation options. 

Last Updated: November 2021

Community Energy Infrastructure
Score: 0.5 out of 15 points
Community Energy Infrastructure Summary List All

Lakeland Electric, a municipally-owned utility (MOU), is the primary electric utility for the City of Lakeland. TECO Peoples Gas, an IOU, is Lakeland’s primary natural gas utility. The State of Florida requires its utilities that post sales of 2,000 GWh or more to implement cost-effective energy efficiency programs and to conduct energy efficiency potential studies. Natural gas programs are required by orders and legislation. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Florida page of the State Database

Lakeland Water Utilities is the municipal utility that provides the City of Lakeland with drinking water services, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management. 

Last Updated: July 2021

Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All

In 2019, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported Lakeland Electric had 4,106 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 0.13% of its retail sales across the utility’s entire service jurisdiction, not only Lakeland. In 2019, Lakeland Electric spent $937,000 on energy efficiency programs, which represents 0.32% of its retail revenue. 

In 2019, TECO Peoples Gas reported 0.65 MMtherms of net natural gas savings at the meter, which represents 0.65% of its retail sales across the utility’s service territory. In 2019, TECO Peoples Gas spent $16,619,336 on energy efficiency, which equates to $45.97 per residential customer. These savings and spending figures cover the entire jurisdiction of both utilities, not just the City of Lakeland. 

Lakeland Electric offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential customers. TECO Peoples Gas similarly offers natural gas efficiency programs to residential and business customers. 

Last Updated: July 2021

Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All

Low-Income Programs 

At this time, Lakeland Electric and TECO Peoples Gas does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at low-income customers. 

Multifamily Programs 

At this time, Lakeland Electric and TECO Peoples Gas does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at multifamily properties. 

Last Updated: July 2021

Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All

Neither Lakeland Electric nor TECO Peoples Gas provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings. The City of Lakeland does not provide communitywide energy usage information at the aggregate level for community planning and evaluation purposes. The City of Lakeland does not advocate for better access to utility data for ratepayers or the establishment of data-sharing agreements between the city and its utilities. 

Last Updated: July 2021

Decarbonization and Climate Change Mitigation Efforts of Cities and Energy UtilitiesList All

Utility Climate Mitigation Goal 

At this time, Lakeland Electric does not have a carbon emissions reduction goal.  

City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid 

We were unable to determine the carbon emissions per capita from Lakeland Electric in 2019. 

Last Updated: July 2021

Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. The water utility does offer water conservation kits and toilet rebates. At this time, the City of Lakeland has not established a water savings target or goal, but it does offer water saving tips online. 

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation 

The water utility has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies. The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy. 

Last Updated: July 2021

Local Government Score:
0 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All

Climate Mitigation Goal

Lakeland does not have a climate mitigation or greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal for municipal operations.

Energy Reduction Goal

We were unable to find information regarding a municipal energy reduction goal.

Renewable Energy Goal

We were unable to find information regarding a municipal renewable energy goal.

Last updated: June 2021

Procurement and Construction Policies List All

Fleet policies and composition

We were unable to find information on Lakeland’s fleet procurement policies or fuel efficiency requirements. We were unable to find data regarding fleet composition.

Public lighting

We were unable to find information regarding the adoption of a policy requiring efficient outdoor lighting, such as the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance. We were unable to confirm if Lakeland has an outdoor lighting upgrade program.

Onsite and offsite renewable systems 

We were unable to find information regarding onsite or offsite renewable energy systems in Lakeland.

Inclusive procurement 

We were unable to verify if the city has inclusive procurement and contracting processes.

Last updated: June 2021

Asset Management List All

Building Benchmarking

We were unable to find information regarding Lakeland’s benchmarking practices.

Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy

We were unable to find information regarding a comprehensive retrofit strategy in Lakeland.

Last updated: June 2021