Baton Rouge
City Scorecard Rank
100
Baton Rouge, LA
3.50Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 0 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Summary List All
The Baton Rouge 2018 Comprehensive Plan includes a general intention to improve energy efficiency and increase renewable energy generation but does not include specific goals.
Last updated: September 2021
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The city does not have a 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
Mitigation of Heat Islands 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
We were unable to determine if the city has adopted specific policies or programs that incorporate requirements or incentives to mitigate the urban heat island effect.
Last updated: September 2021
Buildings Policies
Score: 1 out of 30 points
Buildings Summary List All
The City of Baton Rouge uses and enforces the state energy code. We could not find information on city-mandated benchmarking policies, incentives, or above-code energy action requirements.
Last updated: July 2021
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of Louisiana is a home rule state and allows local jurisdictions to adopt building energy codes that are more stringent than the minimum state requirements, or to suit their local conditions. The minimum state standard requires residential buildings to comply with the 2009 IRC with reference to the 2009 IECC. Commercial buildings must comply with ASHRAE 90.1-2007.
Commercial
Commercial buildings must comply with the state code. The code uses a commercial zEPI score of 70.3.
Residential
Residential buildings must comply with the state code. The code uses a residential zEPI score of 68.
Solar-readiness policies
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction be solar-ready.
EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction be EV-ready.
Last updated: July 2021
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
Baton Rouge requires plan review and site inspection to verify energy code compliance. They also require building thermal envelope and duct pressure testing. 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
We could not find information on whether the city incentivizes or requires energy-saving actions in existing buildings.
Last updated: July 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
Transportation
Score: 1.5 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 Baton Rouge does not yet have a codified VMT reduction target.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
The City of Baton Rouge is not yet tracking community GHG or VMT levels
Last Updated: October 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning
The City of Baton Rouge does not have any efficiency-based zoning policies.
Residential Parking Requirements
No data or the city is not pursuing.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosures
No data or the city is not pursuing.
Last Updated: October 2021
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Target
The City of Baton Rouge does not have a codified mode share target.
Progress Toward Mode Shift Target
No data or the city is not pursuing.
Complete Streets
Resolution No. 51196
Last Updated: October 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transit entities that serve the City of Baton Rouge have received $23,437,117.20 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $63.84 per capita between 2015 and 2019 within the 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 Baton Rouge’s Transit Connectivity Index value is 4.5, scoring zero points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: October 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
At this time, Baton Rouge does not offer incentives for citizens to purchase hybrid, plug-in, or EV vehicles.
Incentives for EV Charging Stations
Neither the City of Baton Rouge or any of the utilities that service its resident are providing incentives towards the installation of EV charging infrastructure at this time.
EV Infrastructure
The City has 36 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 16.3 stations per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
Akron does not have an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
Akron does not have an EV transit bus goal.
Last Updated: October 2021
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Baton Rouge does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
Clean, Efficient Transportation for Low-Income CommunitiesList All
Affordable New TOD Housing Policy
No data found or the city is not pursuing.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
Neither the City of Baton Rouge 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: October 2021
Energy & Water Utilities
Score: 1 out of 15 points
Energy & Water Utilities Summary List All
Entergy Louisiana, an investor-owned utility (IOU) and a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, is the primary electric and natural gas utility serving the City of Baton Rouge. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Louisiana page of the State Database.
The Baton Rouge Water Company is the municipal utility that provides the City of Baton Rouge with drinking water services. The East Baton Rouge Parish Wastewater System, managed by the Baton Rouge Department of Environmental Services, is in charge of wastewater treatment and stormwater management.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, Entergy Louisiana reported 39,848 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 0.07% of its retail sales across the utility’s entire service jurisdiction, not only Baton Rouge. In 2019, Entergy Louisiana spent $8,546,000 on energy efficiency programs, which represents 0.23% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, Entergy Louisiana reported no savings or spending on natural gas efficiency programs. These savings and spending figures cover Entergy Louisiana’s entire service jurisdiction, not just the City of Baton Rouge.
Entergy Louisiana offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and business customers.
At this time, the City of Baton Rouge does not have a formal partnership with Entergy Louisiana in the form of a jointly developed or administered energy saving strategy, plan, or agreement.
Last Updated: July 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
Entergy Louisiana offers the Income-Qualified Weatherization Program to help homeowners and renters reduce energy loss and cost. This program provides energy efficiency measures such as attic insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, bathroom aerators, water-saving showerheads, pipe insulation, programmable thermostats, smart power strips, and LED lighting. Entergy Louisiana does outreach events with the local community to gain participation in the program.
In 2019, Entergy achieved 1,147 MWh in electric savings, while spending $656,925 and serving 461 low-income households.
Multifamily Programs
Entergy Louisiana offers the Multifamily Solutions Program, which provides direct-install energy efficiency measures such as LED lighting, pipe insulation, programmable thermostats, bathroom and kitchen aerators, and water-saving showerheads to participating buildings.
In 2019, Entergy’s multifamily programs saved 1,561 MWh, while spending $667,075 and serving 2,853 housing units in 28 multifamily properties.
Last Updated: July 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Entergy Louisiana does not provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings. The City of Baton Rouge does not provide community-wide energy usage information at the aggregate level for community planning and evaluation purposes. The City of Baton Rouge 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 Energy UtilitiesList All
Utility Climate Mitigation Goal
In 2019, Entergy committed to reducing its carbon intensity by 50% by 2030 from 2000 levels. To achieve this goal, Entergy will need to reduce emissions by 4.3% annually from 2018 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
At this time, we cannot confirm whether or not the city of Baton Rouge 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.
Last Updated: July 2021
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals
The energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. Entergy Louisiana does offer faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads in its residential programs, however. At this point, the City of Baton Rouge and its water utilities have not established a water savings target or goal.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
To our knowledge, neither the water nor the wastewater utility has set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies, and 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
Baton Rouge 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, though the city's 2018 comprehensive plan includes a broad goal to increase energy efficiency.
Renewable Energy Goal
We were unable to find information regarding a municipal renewable energy goal, though the city's 2018 comprehensive plan includes a broad goal to increase renewable generation.
Last updated: June 2021
Procurement and Construction Policies List All
Fleet policies and composition
We were unable to find information on Baton Rouge’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 outdoor lighting, such as the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance. We were unable to confirm if Baton Rouge 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 Baton Rouge.
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 Baton Rouge’s benchmarking practices.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
We were unable to find information regarding a comprehensive retrofit strategy in Baton Rouge.
Last updated: June 2021