Louisville
City Scorecard Rank
59
Louisville, KY
23.00Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 3.5 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
Louisville adopted a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 2016 levels by 2050. ACEEE was unable to project if the city will achieve its near-term community-wide GHG emissions reduction goal because insufficient GHG emissions data were available for our analysis.
Energy Efficiency Goal
The Sustain Louisville plan includes a goal to reduce per capita energy use 25% below 2012 levels by 2025.
Renewable Energy Goal
The Louisville Metro Council passed a resolution in 2020 calling for 100% clean energy community-wide by 2040.
Last updated: August 2023
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: August 2023
Clean Distributed Energy ResourcesList All
The city has not adopted a formal policy, rule, or agreement that supports the creation of clean distributed energy systems.
Last updated: August 2023
Adaptive Mitigation List All
Heat Island Mitigation Policies and Programs
The city’s Land Development Code allows for conservation subdivisions that encourage the permanent protection of land alongside dense residential development patterns.
Louisville Metro Government offers a Cool Roof Rebate Program for residential and commercial properties. The city also offers dollar-for-dollar incentives for projects incorporating green infrastructure in development.
Resilience Hubs
We were unable to determine if the city has supported the creation of resilience hubs that incorporate clean energy resources and are sited in disadvantaged communities.
Last updated: August 2023
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce DevelopmentList All
Workforce development for disadvantaged workers
We could not determine if city has partnered with a local education institution, labor union, or community-based organization to create, support, and/or incentivize the development of clean energy workforce development initiatives that target training and support services for potential or existing workers from disadvantaged communities to obtain and keep in-demand jobs.
Workforce development for the broader community
We could not determine if city has partnered with a local education institution, labor union, or community-based organization to create, support, and/or incentivize the development of clean energy workforce development initiatives that target training and support services for potential or existing workers from the broader community to obtain and keep in-demand jobs.
Outcomes tracking
We could not determine if the city has instituted a mechanism to measure the performance and/or success of equitable workforce development initiatives focused on the clean energy sector.
Last updated: August 2023
Buildings Policies
Score: 6 out of 30 points
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of Kentucky requires its local jurisdictions to follow the 2018 Kentucky Building Code (KBC) and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code (KRC). The 2018 KBC references the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for commercial buildings and the 2009 IECC for residential buildings. Louisville Metro Government advocates for the adoption of the latest codes including the International Energy Conservation Codes (IECC) for commercial and residential structures. To learn more about the required building codes for the State of Kentucky, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial properties must comply with the 2018 KBC. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 60.75.
Residential
Residential properties must comply with the 2018 KRC. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 70.77.
Solar-readiness policies
The city has no authority to pass an ordinance mandating that new construction be solar-ready.
EV-readiness policies
The city has no authority to pass an ordinance mandating that new construction be EV-ready.
Electrification policies
The city has no authority to adopt electrification policies.
Last Update: September 2023
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
We were unable to determine the amount of staff effort dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city verifies energy code compliance through plan reviews and site inspections. The city provides upfront support to building developers when requested, as well as through annual classes on the energy code.
Last Update: September 2023
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Incentives
Louisville offers incentives through the Energy Project Assessment District. The city began offering financing for energy efficiency projects in commercial buildings over a twenty year term. The program is similar to PACE financing programs. Commercial building owners can find energy efficiency incentives through the Louisville Energy Alliance.
Voluntary programs
The Louisville Energy Alliance runs the Kilowatt Crackdown, a voluntary annual energy challenge that also serves as a voluntary benchmarking program. In 2020, 17 buildings participated, impacting 2,312,956 sq. ft.
Last Update: September 2023
Transportation
Score: 9 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
Plan 2040 was adopted in 2018 and includes sustainable transportation strategies.
VMT/GHG Target and Stringency
The City of Louisville does not have a codified VMT or transportation GHG reduction target.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
The City of Louisville does not have a codified VMT or transportation GHG reduction target, and therefore cannot make progress toward the target.
Last Updated: September 2023
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
We were unable to find information indicating that the City of Louisville has made changes to its zoning code in the past 10 years to facilitate more residential density, mixed-use development, or transit-oriented development.
Parking Requirements
Louisville has established parking maximums of 2-5 spaces per housing unit in certain districts.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
The City of Louisville does not have location-efficient development incentives or disclosure policies.
Affordable Housing around Transit
The city incentivizes affordable housing near transit by giving out low interest rate loans to new affordable housing developments, with easier qualification for those near transit.
Last Updated: September 2023
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
The City of Louisville does not have a codified mode share target.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
The City of Louisville does not have a codified mode share target, and therefore cannot make progress toward the target.
Subsidized Access to Efficient Transportation Options
The City of Louisville partners with LouVelo to provide a bike share service which offers discounted passes for people receiving food and financial assistance.
Last Updated: September 2023
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transit entities that serve the City of Louisville have received $66,659,761.80 on average annually between 2017 and 2021 from local sources. That equates to roughly $82.61 per capita between 2017 and 2021 within the service area.
Access to Transit Services
The AllTransit Performance Score measures a given community's transit access and performance. The score considers connections to other routes, access to jobs, service frequency, and the percent of commuters who ride transit to work. The City of Louisville’s AllTransit Performance Score is 6.3, scoring 1points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: September 2023
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
Neither the City of Louisville nor the local utility provide incentives for purchasing efficient vehicles.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
Neither the City of Louisville nor the local utility provide incentives for the installation of EV charging stations.
EV Charging Infrastructure Requirements
The City of Louisville does not require new developments to install EV charging stations.
EV Charging Locations
The City of Louisville has 22.3 vehicle charging ports per 100,000 people available for public use.
Electric School Bus Goal
Neither the City of Louisville nor the local school district have set an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
Louisville set a goal of transitioning 100 of its bus fleet to electric by 2036.
Last Updated: September 2023
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Sustainable Freight Plans
The City of Louisville does not have a sustainable freight plan or freight mobility plan in place, nor is it pursuing any freight efficiency strategies.
Open Data Portal
The City of Louisville does not have an open data portal with real-time freight data.
Last Updated: September 2023
Community Energy Infrastructure
Score: 4 out of 15 points
Community Energy Infrastructure Summary List All
Louisville Gas & Electric (LG&E), an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric and natural gas utility serving the City of Louisville. The State of Kentucky has not yet implemented an energy efficiency portfolio standard in which levels of energy efficiency must be achieved annually by the state’s utilities through demand side programs. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Kentucky page of the State Database.
The Louisville Water Company supplies drinking water to residents of Louisville and the Metropolitan Sewer District is the regional wastewater utility that serves the city.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, according to EIA, LG&E achieved 48,039 MWh in net incremental electric savings, representing 0.41% of electric retail sales. In 2019, LG&E spent $9,561,000 on electric energy efficiency programs, which represents 0.85% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, LG&E either did not spend or did not report spending or savings on natural gas efficiency programs.
Louisville Gas & Electric offers natural gas and electric efficiency tools and technical assistance to residential and commercial/industrial customers.
At this time, the City of Louisville does not have a formal partnership with LG&E in the form of a jointly developed or administered energy saving strategy, plan, or agreement. However, representatives from the city of Louisville have been appointed to LG&E’s DSM Advisory Group.
Last Updated: July 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
LG&E offers the Residential Low-Income Weatherization Program (WeCare) to qualified low-income residential customers, providing energy efficiency measures. The program provides education, energy audits, blower door tests, and installation of weatherization and energy conservation measures designed to reduce energy consumption. Measures include air and duct sealing, attic and wall insulation, energy-efficient water devices, heating and cooling tune-ups, LED lightbulbs, programmable thermostats, and refrigerator and window air conditioner replacements. The program also includes health and safety measures and water efficiency measures. Qualified customers receive energy conservation measures costing up to $2,100 based upon the customer’s most recent 12-month energy usage and the results of an energy audit. If customers qualify for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, then they are automatically qualified for the WeCare program. LG&E works with agencies within the community to identify customers to identify high energy users and help direct them towards the program and other resources.
We were unable to confirm LG&E low-income program savings and customers served in 2019.
Multifamily Programs
LG&E does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at multifamily properties.
Last Updated: July 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Louisville Gas & Electric does not provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings. Louisville has access to community energy use data that they use internally, but this data is not available to the public.
The City of Louisville 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
In 2018, PPL Corp., the parent company of LG&E, set a goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80% from 2010 levels by 2050, with an interim goal of 70% by 2040. To achieve the 2040 goal, PPL Corp. will need to reduce emissions by 2.1% annually from 2019 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
In 2020, Louisville Metro Council adopted a resolution to support 100% clean renewable energy goals for the Metro Government operations by 2030, and a 100% clean energy goal for the community by 2040. The Louisville Metro Office of Advanced Planning and Sustainability is currently in discussions with LG&E on options to finance the development of a solar field through their Solar Share Program.
LG&E participated on the Strategy Team to lead the development of Prepare Louisville, the city’s climate adaptation plan, and also serves in an advisory role in the development of Louisville’s GHG Emissions Reduction Plan. Louisville Metro’s Office of Advanced Planning & Sustainability continues to meet regularly with leaders within LG&E to continue to find ways to partner on projects or new programs.
Clean Distributed Energy Resources
The city has not adopted a formal policy, rule, or agreement that supports the creation of clean distributed energy systems.
Municipal Renewable Energy Procurement
Louisville has installed 6 MW solar PV generation capacity on municipal buildings. Louisville's renewable capacity including onsite and offsite sources totals 106 MW from solar PV onsite and 101 MW offsite hydropower.
City Renewable Energy Incentive and Financing Programs
Louisville offers incentives through the Energy Project Assessment District.
Last Updated: February 2024
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals
The Louisville Water Company has not established any water efficiency programs, policies, or goals. At this point, the City of Louisville has not established a goal or programs for energy efficiency through the city’s water service operation system.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
The Louisville Water Company and the Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District are both participating in the Effective Utility Management program that was developed by the Water Research Foundation, Water Environment Federation, EPA, and others to set metrics for utilities to become more efficient and sustainable operationally. MSD is following an EUM construct to reduce energy usage and is performing an energy audit/study for application at treatment and pumping facilities. Louisville Water Company (LWC) has an overall energy management strategy to minimize energy costs in its production department. This includes real-time demand management and longer-term engineering solutions to evaluate and modify pumps/motors to respond to changing system conditions. LWC also has incorporated energy saving devices (motion sensors/LED lighting in our offices) in its facilities management area.
Methane is captured and used as a supplemental fuel in the Rotary Drum Drying process at the wastewater plants.
Last Updated: July 2021
Local Government Score:
0.5 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
Climate Change Mitigation Goal
We could not find any information regarding a municipal climate change mitigation or greenhouse gas reduction goal for Louisville.
Energy Reduction Goal
We could not find any information regarding a local energy reduction goal for Louisville.
Renewable Energy Goal
The city of Louisville set a goal to use 100% renewable energy to power city operations by 2035.
Last updated: November 2023
Procurement and Construction Policies List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
Louisville does not have a procurement policy that includes a requirement for the purchase of EVs, but tries to replace all of its vehicles with more fuel efficient ones, when possible. We were unable to determine the composition of Louisville’s municipal fleet.
Public Lighting
We did not find information regarding the adoption of a policy requiring efficient outdoor lighting, such as the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance. Starting in fall of 2021, Louisville has been working with Xcel Energy to replace cobrahead streetlights with LED fixtures. Louisville aims to have all streetlights dark sky compliant and energy efficient by 2025.
Inclusive procurement
Louisville has an ordinance with strategies and requirements to increase MWDBE participation in city contracts. In 2020, the Mayor signed an executive order to create an Equity in Contracting and Procurement Task Force, this task force published an update in May 2022.
Last updated: October 2023
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
Louisville uses EnergyCAP to evaluate building energy use and to identify and prioritize opportunities to increase energy efficiency in its buildings. Louisville benchmarks all municipal facilities.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategies
In addition to Louisville Metro's ongoing Energy Savings Performance Contract with Johnson Controls, the first Energy Manager was hired in February of 2021, and is using BAS to implement an initial wave of facility setbacks by scheduling HVAC systems and setting appropriate unoccupied setpoints. The Energy Manager is using a combination of EnergyCAP data and reporting features from the local utility to assess overall energy usage and target facilities of higher impact and potential for improvement.
Municipal Employee Transportation Benefits
Louisville does not provide reduced-emission transportation benefits to municipal staff.
Last update: February 2024