Bridgeport
City Scorecard Rank
69
Bridgeport, CT
18.50Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 1 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Summary List All
The City of Bridgeport adopted its Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan in 2010 to guide its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Last updated: September 2021
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The city’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan has a community-wide goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 20% below 2007 levels by 2020 and 30% by 2030. 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. The city released one community-wide greenhouse gas inventory for 2008.
Energy Reduction Goal
The city does not have a community-wide energy reduction goal, but the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan highlights green buildings and retrofits as a key component of their greenhouse gas reduction strategy.
Renewable Energy Goal
The City of Bridgeport does not have an explicit renewable energy target, but the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan states a general intention to increase the amount of renewable resources.
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
The City of Bridgeport established an Energy Improvement District in accordance with House Bill 7432. The Energy Improvement District is overseen by a 7-member board consisting of the city's chief administrative officer (or his/her designee), director of planning and economic development (or his/her designee), the director of public facilities (or his/her designee), and four electors or representatives of businesses within the boundaries of the district.
Last updated: September 2021
Mitigation of Heat Islands List All
UHI Mitigation Goal
The city’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan include a goal to plant 27,510 trees to reduce residential energy used for heating and cooling.
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: 4 out of 30 points
Buildings Summary List All
Bridgeport does not have the authority to adopt its own codes. The city offers building owners incentives for solar installation and LEED-rated construction. The city does not have policies in place to ensure energy code enforcement, nor has the city adopted a benchmarking and disclosure policy.
Last updated: October 2021
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of Connecticut requires cities to adhere to state-adopted commercial and residential energy codes. Connecticut adopted the 2015 IECC with state amendments in 2018. To learn more about the building energy code requirements for the State of Connecticut, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial properties must adhere to the 2015 IECC with state amendments. The city’s zEPI score for its commercial energy code is 51.6.
Residential
Residential properties must adhere to the 2015 IECC with state amendments. The city’s zEPI score for its residential energy code is 55.5.
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
Bridgeport does not have any full-time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city does not require plan reviews, site inspections, or performance testing as a means of compliance verification. The city does not offer upfront support for energy code compliance.
Last updated: July 2021
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Incentives
The city offers a tax exemption incentive for new solar energy installations.
New construction designed to meet LEED standards receives varying FAR bonuses based on their certification level.
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: 6 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
We did not find a stand-alone sustainable transportation plan, but the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan includes a transportation section that states an emissions reductions goal that is equivalent to roughly 715 million VMT a year. The City has a goal in 2019 Plan Bridgeport to adopt a policy to promote a shift in transportation modes from single-occupancy vehicles to transit, bicycling, and walking by investing in bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
VMT/GHG Target and Stringency
At this time, the City does not have a codified vehicle miles traveled (VMT) or greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
We could not determine if the City tracks VMT or GHG numbers.
Last Updated: October 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan states that the city promotes transit-oriented development to enable 10,000 new housing units within Bridgeport's urban core. Bridgeport has a TOD plan for the area around the planned Barnum train Station. The City is prioritizing TOD in its upcoming Zone Bridgeport code update.
Residential Parking Policies
Minimum parking requirements have been removed for all Downtown Village District zones, Office-Retail and Office-Retail-General zones, and Neighborhood Core Village District zones adjacent to or Downtown Village District zones. This development was recent and is not reflected in the latest publicly-available amendment to the zoning code.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
The City has a Commercial Village Overlay District that encourages pedestrian-oriented mixed-use development.
Last Updated: October 2021
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
The City aims to shift 10,000 vehicle miles of work-related travel per year from the roadway to train and shift 1,888,000 vehicle miles of work-related travel per year from the roadway to the bus. Additionally, the City wants to shift in-city work trips from automobile travel to walk or bike trips under one mile.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
We could not determine if the City is on track to meet its goals.
Complete Streets
At this time, the City of Bridgeport does not have a complete streets policy.
Last Updated: October 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transit entities that serve the City of Bridgeport have received $6,137,542.40 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $17.34 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 Bridgeport’s Transit Connectivity Index value is 6.9, scoring 0.5 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: October 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
At this time, Bridgeport does not offer incentives for citizens to purchase hybrid, plug-in, or EV vehicles.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
There are no incentives available for the construction of EV charging infrastructure.
EV Charging Locations
The City has 14 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 9.7 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
Bridgeport 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
Per Bridgeport Zoning Code, the Incentive Housing Overlay Zone (O-IH) is designed to encourage and promote the development of affordable housing in the city's downtown as well as other areas of the city contiguous to downtown or otherwise served by bus transit or within walking distance of its transportation assets and quality of life amenities.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
Bridgeport does not currently provide rebates or incentives to low-income residents for efficient transportation options.
Last Updated: October 2021
Energy & Water Utilities
Score: 5.5 out of 15 points
Energy & Water Utilities Summary List All
United Illuminating, an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric utility for the City of Bridgeport. The primary natural gas supplier for Bridgeport is Southern Connecticut Gas, an IOU. In 2007, the Connecticut legislature enacted Public Act 07-242, an act concerning electricity and energy efficiency, which places new requirements for energy efficiency and establishes new regulatory mechanisms for utilities. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Connecticut page of the State Database.
The Aquarion Water Company is the private utility that provides the City of Bridgeport with drinking water services, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, United Illuminating reported 60,806 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 1.22% of its retail sales across the utility’s entire service jurisdiction, not only Bridgeport. In 2019, United Illuminating spent $29,857,000 on electric energy efficiency programs, which represents 3.91% of its electric retail revenue.
In 2019, Southern Connecticut Gas reported 1.93 MMtherms of net natural gas savings at the meter, which represents 0.64% of its retail sales across the utility’s service territory. In 2019, Southern Connecticut Gas spent $13,089,459 on energy efficiency, which equates to $72.50 per residential customer. These savings figures cover both United Illuminating and Southern Connecticut Gas’s entire service jurisdiction, not just Bridgeport.
United Illuminating offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and commercial/industrial customers. Southern Connecticut Gas similarly offers natural gas efficiency programs to residential and commercial/industrial customers.
At this time, the City of Bridgeport does not have a formal partnership with United Illuminating or Southern Connecticut Gas 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
Both United Illuminating and Southern Connecticut Gas participate in the Home Energy Solutions—Income-Eligible Program (HES-IE) available to qualified low-income residential customers in both single and multifamily buildings. Eversource also runs New Construction, Retail Products, and Residential Financing programs for income-eligible customers. The HES-IE program provides no-cost weatherization measures and low-cost energy efficiency upgrades. Direct-install weatherization measures include health and safety testing, blower door guided air sealing, duct sealing, installation of efficient domestic hot water products such as low flow aerators, low flow showerheads, and pipe wrap. Additionally, during the direct install visit, the entire home is evaluated for the potential of add-on measure installations which are classified as appliances, insulation, window, hot water systems, HVAC system replacements. There may be a co-pay associated with add-on measures.
HES-IE program implementers work with community partners to promote the program, such as local public health departments, nonprofits running lead abatement programs, hospitals, local housing agencies, and Community Action Agencies. HES-IE also coordinates with the Weatherization Assistance Program, as the programs cost share all energy efficiency products to help maximize the WAP funding on health and safety barriers. Additionally, HES-IE partners with lead abatement programs and hospitals to help leverage their health and safety funds to incorporate energy efficiency into as many homes as possible.
In 2019, United Illuminating achieved 4,226 MWh of savings, while spending $4,180,741 on its low-income program and serving 6,538 customers. Southern Connecticut Gas’s low-income programs achieved 0.30 MMtherms of savings while spending $3,049,996 on its low-income programs and serving 5,314 customers in 2019.
Multifamily Programs
Both United Illuminating and Southern Connecticut Gas participate in Energize Connecticut’s Multifamily Initiative. This comprehensive program provides customized solutions for existing multifamily properties with five or more dwelling units and includes: assistance with energy efficiency upgrade projects, comprehensive energy assessments of the building's energy-saving opportunities, and incentives and financing for energy-saving efficiency upgrades regardless of fuel type.
The Multifamily Initiative is offered to property managers, property owners, and architects for both market-rate and low-income properties. The Multifamily Initiative is open to any customer, regardless of heating fuel type, within the UI and SCG service territories. The Multifamily Initiative allows a customer to choose their own contractors and create their own contractual agreements with them for work completed. The Multifamily Initiative provides comprehensive energy efficiency upgrades by focusing on the building’s dwelling units, common areas, and exterior spaces. Tenant-occupied areas receive direct install measures, such as air sealing, hot water savings measures, ductwork sealing, and the installation of energy-efficient lighting. The Multifamily Initiative also provides incentives for add-on measures, which may include insulation, heating and cooling equipment, hot water heating equipment, appliances, windows, smart thermostats, and lighting fixtures and controls. The Multifamily Initiative is tailored to the multifamily segment and combines aspects of the Companies’ residential energy efficiency programs, such as Home Energy Solutions (“HES”) and HES-Income Eligible, with the Companies’ commercial and industrial (“C&I”) programs, including the Energy Opportunities, Energy Conscious Blueprint, and Small Business Energy Advantage (“SBEA”) programs. This approach offers flexibility to multifamily property owners and their tenants to save energy and money under a seamless umbrella initiative.
In 2019, United Illuminating’s multifamily efficiency programs achieved 2,804 MWh, while spending $1,426,603 and serving 5,227 housing units in 29 multifamily properties. In 2019, Southern Connecticut Gas saved 0.12 MMtherms while spending $389,922 and serving 4,611 housing units in 24 multifamily properties.
Last Updated: August 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Southern Connecticut Gas and United Illuminating provide automated benchmarking services through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for commercial buildings. The City of Bridgeport publishes community-wide energy data on an online dashboard through the Energize CT Clean Energy Communities Initiative. The utilities also provide energy usage data to the Energize CT website. The City of Bridgeport 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 2020, Avangrid, the parent company of United Illuminating, set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2025 compared to 2015 levels (scope 1 emissions), and achieve carbon neutrality by 2035. To achieve 100% emissions reduction by 2035, Avangrid will need to reduce emissions by 5.9% annually from 2018 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
In 2018, the City of Bridgeport partnered with United Illuminating to install an 8,550-panel solar array on the City’s capped landfill, which produces enough energy to supply 400 homes per year. To the best of our knowledge, the City of Bridgeport does not have a formal partnership with United Illuminating to promote renewable generation nor has actively advocated the public utility commission on renewable energy issues.
Last Updated: July 2021
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals
At this time, neither Southern Connecticut Gas nor United Illuminating Company offers joint energy and water efficiency programs with Aquarion Water Company, Bridgeport’s local water utility. At this point, the City of Bridgeport and its water utility have not established a water savings target or goal.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
The wastewater utility has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies, but it does purchase new energy-efficient equipment when old equipment is at the end of its use cycle. For example, two blowers for the aeration system were recently replaced with one high-efficiency blower to save $250,000 per year in electricity.
The city’s water system currently does not self-generate its own energy, but the City is considering pursuing anaerobic digestion at one of its wastewater treatment plants.
Last Updated: July 2021
Local Government Score:
2 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
The City of Bridgeport released the Bridgeport Municipal Plan in 2010. The Plan outlines several efficiency and resource conservation actions the city may pursue.
Climate Mitigation Goal
The Plan established a goal to reduce emissions from municipal operations 30% below 2007 levels by 2030. ACEEE was unable to project if the city will achieve its near-term GHG emissions reduction goal for municipal operations because insufficient GHG emissions data were available for our analysis.
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 information on fuel efficiency and fleet procurement requirements in Bridgeport, but the City’s Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan include goals and actions to shift the fleet to plug-in electric vehicles. Bridgeport’s municipal fleet is composed of approximately 1% efficient vehicles, including hybrid and battery electric vehicles.
Public Lighting
Through a United Illuminating program, 83% of streetlight fixtures in Bridgeport have been upgraded to LEDs. 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.
Onsite and offsite renewable systems
We were unable to find information regarding onsite and offsite renewable energy systems installed by Bridgeport.
Inclusive procurement
While we were unable to verify that the policy has been applied to energy projects, Bridgeport has a goal to have 15% of each formal city contract value go to Minority-owned Business Enterprises and another 15% of contract value go to Women-owned Business Enterprises.
Last updated: June 2021
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
Bridgeport benchmarks 100% of city buildings in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
Benchmarking all municipal buildings allows the City to prioritize retrofits, project long-term funding needs, and incorporate retrofit needs into funding requests.
Last updated: June 2021