State and Local Policy Database

Orlando

City Scorecard Rank

22

Orlando, FL

44.00Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 7 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All

Climate Mitigation Goal

The Community Sustainability Action Plan establishes a greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal of 90% below 2007 levels by 2040. Based on ACEEE’s analysis of past years emissions data, ACEEE projects the city will achieve its near-term community-wide GHG emissions reduction goal. 

Energy Reduction Goal

Orlando plans to achieve a community-wide energy reduction of 25% below 2010 levels by 2040, as stated in the Community Sustainability Action Plan.

Renewable Energy Goal

Orlando plans to generate 100% of it community-wide electricity by 2050, as stated in the Community Sustainability Action Plan.

Last updated: January 2024

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

Equity-Driven Community Engagement

While developing the Parramore Comprehensive Plan, the city conducted public meetings in Parramore, a historically black community, where residents were able to speak, provide comments, vote, and engage with community leaders

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

The Parramore Comprehensive Plan includes several metrics to track outcomes related to energy and health. 

The city hosted internal social equity training and conducts monthly workshops to evaluate sustainability programs through a social equity lens. 

Last updated: January 2024

Clean Distributed Energy ResourcesList All

The Orlando Utility Commission offers district chilled-water cooling via OUCooling. There are several districts with access to OUCooling.

The City has partnered with Solar United Neighbors of Florida, to offer residents a solar co-op. Over 250 residents signed up in the first co-op (Aug-Nov 2019) and an expanded co-op will be offered in spring (Apr-Jul) 2020. OUC customers may also participate in the utility’s solar bulk purchasing program OUCollective or enroll in a community solar program (the city is an anchor tenant of the community solar farm). 

The City is also partnering with the Orlando Utilities Commission and the Orlando Economic Partnership to launch a 100% Renewable Energy Pledge campaign in April, 2020. This will support the demand for additional utility scale solar farms to be added to the grid mix. 

Working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Solar Energy Innovation Network, the city developed a Roadmap to 100% Renewable Energy that included analysis of rooftop solar and storage potential. This informed a Capital Improvements Projects request for five resiliency hubs, the expansion of the city's Fleet and Facilities Solar Array, and two distributed energy plus storage explorations. 

Last updated: January 2024

Adaptive Mitigation List All

Heat Island Mitigation Policies and Programs

The city provides development bonuses for buildings that exceed the minimum environmental sustainability requirements, such as energy efficiency enhancements, stormwater design, and solar and/or other renewable energy installation.

The city has adopted a private tree protection ordinance. The Southeast Orlando Sector Plan Development Guidelines and Standards protect urban wetlands from development beyond what is currently required by state law.

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: January 2024

Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce DevelopmentList All

Workforce development for disadvantaged workers

The City of Orlando has collaborated with Valencia Community College, a minority-serving institution, to create the Energy Management and Controls Technology Associate in Science degree program. The program prepares those interested to go directly into a specialized career in energy management, automation and controls technology. The program teaches students how to manage and control a building’s electrical and mechanical systems efficiently using a broad range of current and emerging technologies 

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: January 2024

Buildings Policies
Score: 12 out of 30 points
Building Energy CodesList All

Overview

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 projects in Orlando comply with Florida’s building energy codes. Orlando has begun efforts to develop a special committee in partnership with Orange County to advance more stringent codes, and has partnered with UCF, ASHRAE and other delegates. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 52.50.

Residential

Residential projects in Orlando comply with Florida’s building energy codes. Orlando has begun efforts to develop a special committee in partnership with Orange County to advance more stringent codes, and has partnered with UCF, ASHRAE and other delegates. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 65.75.

Solar-readiness policies

The city has not passed a policy mandating new developments be solar-ready, but allows solar use in all zones. 

EV-readiness policies

In August 2021, City Council approved an Electric Vehicle (EV) Readiness code that requires new commercial and multifamily construction projects to meet current EV charging needs through installation of charging stations  and prepare for future demand with “EV Capable” parking spaces.

Low-energy use requirements  

The city requires municipal buildings to achieve LEED Gold standards. 

Electrification policies

We could not find information on whether the city has adopted any electrification policies.

Last Update: September 2023

Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All

The city employees one full time employees solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The city requires third-party plan review and performance testing for code compliance. The city provides opportunity to review plans prior to submission but only does so at a cost.

Last Update: September 2023

Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All

Commercial and multifamily benchmarking

In December 2016, Orlando passed the Building Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy (BEWES), an energy benchmarking and transparency policy. The policy requires existing commercial and multifamily buildings larger than 50,000 square feet to track whole-building energy use. Building owners must report energy use data to the City annually and make their information transparent to the real estate marketplace. The city achieved a compliance rate of 40%. 

Cross-cutting requirements

Since May 2020, in accordance with the Building Energy and Water Efficiency Strategy, owners of buildings larger than 50,000 square feet that score under the national ENERGY STAR score of 50 must either perform an energy audit or perform a retro-commission one time every five years. 

Incentives

Residential and commercial property owners may access property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing for both energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy installations. 

The City launched a Green Building Incentive Program in Jan 2021 to encourage developers to build LEED Silver or greater, providing a one time property tax rebate. 

The city partners with the non-profit Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) and the municipal Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) to provide property owners with home energy improvement loans. The program is far-reaching and provides additional support to low-income homeowners.

The municipal utility, OUC, offers the Efficiency Delivered program that provides up to $2,500 of energy and water efficiency upgrades to residents. The program provides a greater cost-share for income-qualified participants. 

Voluntary programs

The city participates in the Better Buildings Challenge

Last Update: September 2023

Transportation
Score: 11.5 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All

Sustainable Transportation Plan

Orlando's 2030 E-Mobility Roadmap was released in 2022 and includes sustainable transportation strategies. It also includes strategies specifically benefitting disadvantaged communities.

VMT/GHG Targets and Stringency

The City of Orlando does not have a codified VMT or transportation GHG reduction target.

Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets

The City of Orlando 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 Orlando 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 Requirement

We were unable to find information indicating that the City of Orlando has at least one zone, neighborhood, or district with a parking maximum of 1 or fewer spaces per housing unit or no minimum parking requirement for residential uses.

Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure

Orlando offers a density (units per acre) bonus and an intensity (floor area ratio) bonus for mixed-use developments in certain districts.

Affordable Housing around Transit

The City of Orlando does not require, preserve, or incentivize the development of affordable housing near transit.

Last Updated: September 2023

Mode Shift List All

Mode Shift Targets

According to the Community Action Plan, adopted in 2018, the City has a goal of over 50% of trips being made by carpooling, biking, walking, or transit by 2040.

Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets

The City of Orlando did not provide data collected on mode share since the adoption of its goal; therefore, we cannot assess progress toward the goal. 

Subsidized Access to Efficient Transportation Options

LYNX, a public transit agency serving Orlando, provides discounted curb-to-curb transportation to those who cannot access fixed route service or obtain their own transportation due to income through the ACCESS LYNX program. Additionally, all three of the shared micromobility operators in Orlando (Bird, Lime, and Veo) offer discounted rides for income-qualified individuals. 

Last Updated: January 2024

Public Transit List All

Transit Funding

The transit entities that serve the City of Orlando have received $102,534,601.80 on average annually between 2017 and 2021 from local sources. That equates to roughly $48.04 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 Orlando's AllTransit Performance Score is 6, scoring 1 point in the City Scorecard.

Last Updated: September 2023

Efficient VehiclesList All

Efficient Vehicle Purchase Incentives

OUC, the municipal utility for the City of Orlando, offers a $200 rebate on the purchase or lease of a plug-in electric vehicle. 

Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Incentives

OUC, the municipal utility for the City of Orlando, offers businesses a way to provide EV charging stations on their premises without paying a high upfront cost by installing and maintaining Level 2 or DC fast charging stations for a fixed monthly cost over a contracted period of time.

Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Requirements

The City of Orlando requires all new commercial, multifamily, and industrial developments to include EV charging stations in 2% of parking spaces.

EV Charging Ports

The City of San Francisco has 100 vehicle charging ports per 100,000 people available for public use.

Electric School Bus Goal

The City of Orlando set a goal of transitioning 100% of its school buses to electric by 2040. The City plans to prioritize disadvantaged communities as it transitions to electric buses.

Electric Transit Bus Goal

The City of Orlando set a goal of transitioning 100% of its transit buses to electric by 2040. The City also plans to prioritize disadvantaged communities, with a goal of 100% of disadvantaged communities being served by electric buses by 2030.

Last Updated: January 2024

Freight System EfficiencyList All

Sustainable Freight Plans

Orlando does not have a sustainable freight plan or freight mobility plan. However, the city is pursuing dynamic curbside management to improve freight efficiency.

Open Data Portals

The City of Orlando does not have an open data portal with real-time freight data.

Last Updated: September 2023

Community Energy Infrastructure
Score: 24
Community Energy Infrastructure Summary List All

 

Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC), a municipally-owned utility, provides water and electric service to the citizens of Orlando. TECO Peoples Gas, an investor-owned utility (IOU), is Orlando’s primary natural gas utility. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Florida page of the State Database.

The City of Orlando’s Department of Public Works provides wastewater and stormwater management services for Orlando.

Last Updated: August 2023

Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All

In 2021, according to EIA, OUC achieved 365,537 MWh in net electric incremental savings.

In 2021, TECO Peoples Gas reported 0.718 MMtherms of net natural gas savings at the meter.

OUC offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and commercial/industrial customers. TECO Peoples Gas similarly offers natural gas efficiency programs to residential and business customers.

The City of Orlando is actively working with OUC on developing more efficiency programs through the City Energy Project, including data access platform for whole-building energy use data and additional services, including benchmarking and retro-commissioning. Through the City Energy Project and the Central Florida Energy Efficiency Alliance (CFEEA), the City of Orlando is actively promoting OUC and efficiency rebates and incentives, along with organizing various summits and workshops including the efficiency and conservation managers for each company to participate. OUC also partners with the City on energy efficiency workshops for multifamily and Housing Authority communities.

At this time, the City of Orlando does not have a formal partnership with TECO Peoples Gas in the form of a jointly developed or administered energy saving strategy, plan, or agreement.

Last Updated: August 2023

Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All

Low-Income ProgramsThe OUC offers the Residential Efficiency Delivered Program to qualified low-income residential customers. This program provides up to $2,000 of energy and water efficiency upgrades based on the needs of the customer’s home. Upgrades include ceiling insulation, duct system repair, pipe insulation, window film, window caulk, door caulk, door weatherstripping, door sweep, threshold plate, air filter replacement, toilet replacement, irrigation repairs, water flow restrictors and minor plumbing repairs. This program is implemented in collaboration with an Efficiency Delivered contractor, who are selected through a request for proposal process on a routine basis. Households with annual income less than $40,000 a year qualify for the program. Customers may qualify for on bill financing options. OUC and the City partner to conduct in-person outreach, host workshops and information sessions, and spread the word about the program.

OUC also offers a pay as you go program (OUC Power Pass) that is open to all customers but tailored to help low-income customers that are living pay check to pay check. Customers prepay their usage allowing them flexibility with their payments while avoiding fees or deposits. Whole building retrofits are offered through the comprehensive retrofit Multi-Family Efficiency Program. While this program is available to all multi-family buildings in their service territory, it assists low-income areas the most.

In 2021, according to OUC, it achieved 9,247 MWh savings, while spending $794,629 on its low-income programs and served 109 low-income customers.

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

In February 2021, the city launched the Tiny Green Home exhibit in partnership with OUC and the Orlando Science Center. The exhibit is mobile and will be deployed to marginalized communities and community-wide events. It promotes both high tech and low and no-cost programs, including the Efficiency Delivered program, free home energy and water audits, the Weatherization Assistance Program, and the Solar Energy Loan Fund.

Multifamily Programs

OUC offers the comprehensive retrofit Multi-Family Efficiency Program. This program provides rebates for energy efficiency upgrades such as window improvements and film insulation, cool reflective roofs, ceiling and attic insulation, new  heat pumps, proper sizing of air conditioning systems, duct repair, ultra-low-flow toilets, and new water heaters and washers. A property inspection is performed to validate which energy efficiency upgrades are needed.

Savings, spending, and participation data for OUC was not available for 2019.

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

Last Updated: August 2023

Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All

Neither Orlando Utilities Commission 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 Orlando provides community wide energy usage information for planning and evaluation purposes through their annual community reports. The City also utilized prior community-wide energy consumption as foundational data for the development of the Green Building Incentive Program, launched in January 2021 in partnership with the city’s Economic Development department. OUConsumption Online is now live and allows residential and commercial customers access to the AMI meter data at hourly intervals.

The City of Orlando is in the process of working to accelerate data provision by its utilities. Orlando is also a member of the Energy Data Accelerator through DOE.

Last Updated: August 2023

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

Utility Climate Mitigation Goal

In 2020, OUC established a goal to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with an interim target of 50% carbon emissions reduction by 2030 and 75% by 2040 compared to 2005 levels. To achieve 50% by 2030, OUC will need to reduce emissions by 3.6% annually from 2020 levels. 

City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid

In 2020, OUC emitted 22.55 metric tons of CO2e per capita (scope 1 emissions only). 

Clean Distributed Energy Resources 

The Orlando Utility Commission offers district chilled-water cooling via OUCooling. There are several districts with access to OUCooling. 

The City has partnered with Solar United Neighbors of Florida, to offer residents a solar co-op. Over 250 residents signed up in the first co-op (Aug-Nov 2019) and an expanded co-op will be offered in spring (Apr-Jul) 2020. OUC customers may also participate in the utility’s solar bulk purchasing program OUCollective or enroll in a community solar program (the city is an anchor tenant of the community solar farm).  

The City is also partnering with the Orlando Utilities Commission and the Orlando Economic Partnership to launch a 100% Renewable Energy Pledge campaign in April, 2020. This will support the demand for additional utility scale solar farms to be added to the grid mix.  

Working with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory's Solar Energy Innovation Network, the city developed a Roadmap to 100% Renewable Energy that included analysis of rooftop solar and storage potential. This informed a Capital Improvements Projects request for five resiliency hubs, the expansion of the city's Fleet and Facilities Solar Array, and two distributed energy plus storage explorations. 

Municipal Renewable Energy Procurement 

Orlando installed approximately 645kW of onsite solar energy on city facilities. Through OUC Community Solar Farm, Orlando has 123MW offsite solar capacity.  

City Renewable Energy Incentive and Financing Programs 

Residential and commercial property owners may access property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing for both energy efficiency improvements and renewable energy installations.  

The City launched a Green Building Incentive Program in Jan 2021 to encourage developers to build LEED Silver or greater, providing a one time property tax rebate.  

The city partners with the non-profit Solar and Energy Loan Fund (SELF) and the municipal Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) to provide property owners with home energy improvement loans. The program is far-reaching and provides additional support to low-income homeowners. 

The city partners with Solar United Neighbors (SUN) to offer the Orlando Solar Co-op which helps residents save money on solar installations through bulk negotiations.  

Last Updated: February 2024

Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals

The Orlando Utilities Commission (OUC) provides water saving solutions and rebate programs for residential and commercial buildings that include both water and energy efficiency measures.

The City has set a goal of reducing potable water consumption per capita by 20%, which has been reduced from 92 gal/day in 2012 to 83 gal/day in 2017. The City has also developed a Water Resource Strategy to address water conservation concerns.

Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation

In 2015, the Orlando Utility Commission set a Clean Energy Strategy goal of 20% of retail sales from renewables and energy efficiency by 2020. This target will require significant investment in both landfill gas and solar generation. The wastewater division is an enterprise fund, which requires it to make strategic investments to reduce costs and improve efficiency.

Three of OUC’s generators at their Energy Recovery System are dedicated for co-generation and heat recovery. They are started, regulated, and stopped based on methane gas availability in the gas holding digester.

Last Updated: August 2023

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

The City of Orlando releases annual progress reports to its Municipal Operations Sustainability Plan.

Climate Mitigation Goal

The Municipal Operations Sustainability Plan established a goal for the Orlando city government to be carbon neutral by 2030. To meet this goal, the city must reduce per capita emissions by 5% annually. Based on ACEEE’s analysis of past years emissions data, ACEEE projects that the city will be within 77% of its near-term GHG emissions reduction goal for local government operations. 

Energy Reduction Goal

The Plan includes a goal to reduce municipal energy consumption 50% below 2010 levels by 2030.

Renewable Energy Goal

The Plan also includes a goal to use renewable energy to power 100% of municipal operations by 2030.

Last updated: June 2021

Procurement and Construction Policies List All

Fleet Policies and Composition

While Orlando does not have fleet procurement policies, as part of the Energy Secure Cities Coalition (ESCC), the City of Orlando has made a commitment to transition 100% of city fleet vehicles to alternative fuels by 2030. Currently, Orlando's fleet is composed of 7% hybrid, plug-in hybrid, or battery electric vehicles.  

Public Lighting

Orlando passed a lighting ordinance in 2014 for public outdoor lighting. As an alternative to the development standard, lighting that conforms to the Joint International Dark-Sky Association and Illuminating Engineering Society Model Lighting Ordinance is also acceptable. In collaboration with Orlando Utilities Commission, Orlando has converted 100% of their streetlights to LEDS.  

Inclusive procurement 

Orlando has set goals for MBE and WBE participation for all municipal projects.  

Last updated: February 2024

Asset Management List All

Building Benchmarking

The city of Orlando benchmarks all municipal buildings and monitors them daily.

Comprehensive Retrofit Strategies

The City has a comprehensive team of engineers and building specialists focused on energy management and building performance/optimization.  All facilities are incorporated into a Citywide BAS that measures and verifies building performance. Orlando's revolving energy fund provides dedicated funding for energy efficiency work.

Municipal Employee Transportation Benefits

Orlando offers a range of transportation benefits to municipal employees including free SunRail passes, discounted bus passes, $50 monthly reimbursement for Vanpool, priority parking for carpool at city hall, and bike lock and repair facilities are available at city hall for bicycling employees.

Last update: February 2024