Tampa
City Scorecard Rank
81
Tampa, FL
11.50Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 1.5 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The city has a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2025, as stated in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan. 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
We did not find information regarding a community-wide energy reduction goal, though the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan includes a 2025 goal to reduce energy emissions 38.6% below a business-as-usual projection.
Renewable Energy Goal
The city adopted a goal to generate 100% renewable electricity by 2035.
Last updated: January 2024
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: January 2024
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: January 2024
Adaptive Mitigation List All
Heat Island Mitigation Policies and Programs
The city has adopted a private tree protection ordinance. The city also allows for cluster residential subdivision zoning that permanently protects land alongside dense residential development patterns as part of its Site Plan Zoning District Procedures Ordinance.
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
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: January 2024
Buildings Policies
Score: 3.5 out of 30 points
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
State of Florida law requires that residential and commercial buildings comply with the 7th Edition Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation. The 7th Edition Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation is based on the 2018 IECC with amendments. The state bars cities from adoption codes more stringent than the state codes. Tampa has not yet begun advocating for increased stringency in the state building energy codes. To learn more about Florida’s building energy codes, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial construction in Tampa complies with the Florida codes. The city’s zEPI score for its commercial energy code is 52.5.
Residential
Residential construction in Tampa complies with the Florida codes. The city’s zEPI score for its residential energy code is 65.75.
Solar-readiness policies
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction be solar-ready.
EV-charging readiness policies
We could not find information on whether the city has adopted policies requiring buildings to be EV-ready.
Low-energy use requirements
Tampa requires new municipal buildings to achieve LEED Silver certification.
Electrification
We could not find information on whether the city has adopted any electrification policies.
Last Update: August 2023
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
Tampa does not require plan reviews, site inspections, or performance testing as a means of compliance verification. Tampa offers upfront support for energy code compliance through energy code workshops. We were unable to determine the amount of staff effort dedicated to energy code enforcement.
Last Update: August 2023
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Incentives
Tampa offers expedited plan review for commercial construction that includes provisions for energy efficiency. Rebates are available to residential and commercial construction achieving the LEED standards. Homes built to the Florida Green Building Coalition standards also receive a rebate.
We could not find information on whether the city collects data on incentive and financing programs to ensure equitable outcomes.
Last Update: August 2023
Transportation
Score: 4.5 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
Tampa's Climate Action and Equity Plan was released in 2023 and includes sustainable transportation strategies. It also includes strategies specifically benefitting disadvantaged communities.
VMT/GHG Targets and Stringency
The City of Tampa does not have a codified VMT or transportation GHG reduction target.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
The City of Tampa does not have a codified VMT or transportation GHG reduction target.
Last Updated: September 2023
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
We were unable to find information indicating that the City of Tampa 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 Tampa 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
The City of Tampa does not have location-efficient development incentives or disclosure policies.
Affordable Housing around Transit
The city incentivizes affordable housing near transit by offering a floor area ratio (FAR) bonus for developers that provide 10% of a project's dwelling units as affordable within a transit-served area.
Last Updated: September 2023
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
The City of Tampa does not have a codified mode share target.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
The City of Tampa does not have a codified mode share target, and therefore cannot make progress toward the target.
Subsidized Access to Efficient Transportation Options
Several shared micromobility operators in the City of Tampa, including Spin, Lime, and Bird, offer discounted rates or plans for qualifying individuals. For Spin, individuals with limited incomes are eligible for Spin Access. Those participating in assistance programs like Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, or the local transit agency's reduced fare program are eligible for Lime Access. Low-income individuals, veterans, students, teachers, and senior citizens can receive discounts through Bird's Community Pricing program.
Last Updated: September 2023
Public Transit List All
Transit Funding
The transit entities that serve the City of Tampa have received $57,227,490.00 on average annually between 2017 and 2021 from local sources. That equates to roughly $40.30 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 Tampa's AllTransit Performance Score is 5.3, scoring 1 point in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: September 2023
Efficient VehiclesList All
Efficient Vehicle Purchase Incentives
Neither the City of Tampa nor the local utility provide incentives for purchasing efficient vehicles.
Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Incentives
Neither the City of Tampa nor the local utility provide incentives for the installation of EV charging stations.
Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Requirements
The City of Tampa does not require new developments to install EV charging stations.
EV Charging Ports
The City of Tampa has 67.1 vehicle charging ports per 100,000 people available for public use.
Electric School Bus Goal
Neither the City of Tampa nor the local school district have set an electric school bus goal.
Electric Transit Bus Goal
Neither the City of Tampa nor the local transit agency have set an electric transit bus goal.
Last Updated: September 2023
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Sustainable Freight Plans
The City of Tampa does not have a sustainable freight plan or freight mobility plan in place, nor is it pursuing any freight efficiency strategies.
Open Data Portals
The City of Tampa does not have an open data portal with real-time freight data.
Last Updated: September 2023
Community Energy Infrastructure
Score: 2 out of 15 points
Community Energy Infrastructure Summary List All
Tampa Electric Company (TECO), an investor-owned utility (IOU) is the primary electric utility serving the City of Tampa. TECO Peoples Gas, an IOU, is Tampa’s primary natural gas utility. The State of Florida requires its utilities which 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.
The City of Tampa Water Department is the municipal utility that provides drinking water, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management services to the City of Tampa.
Last Updated: September 2023
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2021, TECO reported 73,848 MWh in electric net incremental savings. In 2021, TECO spent $17,061,275 on energy efficiency programs.
In 2021, TECO Peoples Gas reported 12,243,908 Mcf in savings and spent $16,999,771. These savings and spending figures cover the entire jurisdiction of both utilities, not just the City of Tampa.
TECO 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.
TECO partners with the City of Tampa to assist with energy efficiency efforts for low-income customers. These partnerships include Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Emergency Home Energy Assistance for the Elderly Program (EHEAP), Tampa Hillsborough Action Plan (THAP), as well as TECO’s Account Management team work closely with the City of Tampa to ensure all their energy needs are addressed. The assigned account manager works as a liaison collaborating energy audits and promoting all conservation programs available.
Last Updated: September 2023
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
TECO offers the Neighborhood Weatherization Program to qualified low-income residential customers. This program provides energy-efficient installations at no cost to the customer and includes duct sealing, caulking, insulation, lighting fixtures, water heater wrap, water efficiency measures, and energy efficiency education materials, amongst others. The program targets high energy users and elderly households and also streamlines implementation with the federal Weatherization Assistance Program. TECO participates with several civic and local organizations including Hillsborough County Neighborhood Service Centers, Rebuild Together Tampa Bay, and Paint Your Heart Out Tampa Bay.
In 2021, according to TECO, it achieved 5,647.2 MWh in energy savings, while spending $790,505 from its low-income programs and serving 2,923 low-income customers.
At this time, TECO Peoples Gas does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at low-income customers.
Multifamily Programs
TECO offers the ENERGY STAR for New Multifamily Residence program, which serves residential new construction projects by aiming to reduce growth of peak demand and energy. The program was implemented in May of 2017. In 2021 TECO did not serve any customers with their multifamily program.
At this time, TECO Peoples Gas does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at multifamily properties.
Last Updated: September 2023
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
TECO provides automated benchmarking services if requested by the building owner. The City of Tampa does not provide community-wide energy usage data at the aggregate level for community planning and evaluation purposes. However, Tampa Electric Co. can provide such data to the city if requested. The City of Tampa 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: September 2023
Decarbonization and Climate Change Mitigation Efforts of Cities and Energy UtilitiesList All
Utility Climate Mitigation Goal
At this time, TECO has not set a carbon reduction goal.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
At this time, we cannot confirm if the city of Tampa participates in activities or strategies to help spur or encourage more utility-scale or distributed renewable energy generation from its local electric utility, such as testifying in public utility commission proceedings related to renewable energy, creating a formal partnership with the electric utility on renewable generation, or participating in utility planning efforts to increase renewable generation.
Clean Distributed Energy Resources
We could not verify if the city has adopted a formal policy, rule, or agreement that supports the creation of clean distributed energy systems.
Municipal Renewable Energy Procurement
We were unable to find information regarding onsite or offsite municipal renewable energy systems in Tampa.
City Renewable Energy Incentive and Financing Programs
Rebates are available to residential and commercial construction achieving the LEED standards. Homes built to the Florida Green Building Coalition standards also receive a rebate.
Last Updated: September 2023
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals
The City of Tampa offers water efficiency programs independently of the energy utilities, such as water audits, plumbing fixture retrofits, rain sensors, irrigation system efficiency check-ups, and other programs. These programs and general water usage is monitored by the Water Use Restrictions Enforcement Program. The city has a year-round restriction on water use for all water sources except reclaimed water inside the city limits.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
Tampa does not currently have an energy efficiency goal set in place for water services. Tampa’s Wastewater Department employs staggered starting of motor loads throughout their facilities to reduce transient power usage. The methane generators used to power some of the electricity of the City of Tampa Wastewater Department have reached the end of their life, but new generators are included in Tampa’s 20-year Master Plan.
Last Updated: September 2023
Local Government Score:
0 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 Tampa.
Energy Reduction Goal
We could not find any information regarding a local energy reduction goal for Tampa.
Renewable Energy Goal
The city of Tampa set a goal to use 25% renewable energy to power city operations by 2025.
Last updated: November 2023
Procurement and Construction Policies List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
We were unable to find information on procurement policies or fuel-efficiency requirements for fleet vehicles in Tampa. We were unable to find data on the City's fleet composition.
Public Lighting
Tampa has not yet adopted a policy requiring efficient outdoor lighting, such as the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance. Tampa Electric is in the process of converting all outdoor lights to energy efficient, LED technology. This project is planned to be completed at the end of 2023. We were unable to confirm the percentage of streetlights currently converted to LEDs.
Inclusive procurement
We were unable to verify if Tampa has inclusive procurement and contracting processes. Tampa has a “ban the box” ordinance that applies to contracts.
Last updated: October 2023
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
We were unable to find information regarding Tampa’s benchmarking practices.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
We were unable to find information regarding a comprehensive retrofit strategy in Tampa.
Municipal Employee Transportation Benefits
Tampa does not provide reduced-emission transportation benefits to municipal staff.
Last update: February 2024