Cape Coral
City Scorecard Rank
n/a
Cape Coral, FL
Scored out of 250Updated 05/2024
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 0 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The city does not have a community-wide 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
Adaptive Mitigation 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
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
Buildings Policies
Score: 2.5 out of 30 points
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
Effective December 31, 2020, 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 buildings must comply with the state code. The code uses a commercial zEPI score of 52.5.
Residential
Residential buildings must comply with the state code. The code uses a residential zEPI score of 60.7.
Solar-readiness policies
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction to be solar-ready but it allows solar use in all zones.
EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction to be EV-ready.
Low-energy use requirements
We could not find information on whether the city sets low-energy use requirements for municipal or certain private buildings
Last updated: October 2021
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
Cape Coral requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing to ensure code compliance. 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
The city does not implement any policies or programs targeting existing buildings.
Last updated: October 2021
Transportation
Score: 1 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 Cape Coral does not yet have a codified VMT reduction target.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
The City of Cape Coral is not yet tracking community GHG or VMT levels
Last Updated: October 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning
The purpose of the City's South Cape district is to promote redevelopment and enhancement of the traditional commercial center of Cape Coral into a more compact and walkable form of growth and to create a destination for residents and visitors. This district encourages mixed-use development. Existing commercial and professional buildings will be supplemented with entertainment activities and a wide diversity of housing types to create a vibrant work, live, shop, and play district that serves the entire city and region. (Article 4 - Zoning Codes - Section 4.1.2, C.6)
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 Bike-Ped Master Plan outlines a comprehensive strategy to improve the safety, convenience, and enjoyment of walking and biking in Cape Coral. Specific goals within the plan include: Doubling the combined walking, biking, and transit commute mode share to 3% within 5 years (Currently 1.5% for walking, biking, and transit in Cape Coral).
Progress Toward Mode Shift Target
No data or the city is not pursuing.
Complete Streets
No data or the city is not pursuing.
Last Updated: October 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
We could not determine the transit funding per capita for Cape Coral.
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 Cape Coral Transit Connectivity Index value is 2.1, scoring 0 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: October 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
No data or the city is not pursuing.
Incentives for EV Charging Stations
No data or the city is not pursuing.
EV Infrastructure
We were unable to determine the number of charging ports per capita in Cape Coral.
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
Cape Coral 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 or the city is not pursuing.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
No data or the city is not pursuing.
Last Updated: October 2021
Community Energy Infrastructure
Score: 0.5 out of 15 points
Community Energy Infrastructure Summary List All
Lee County Electric Cooperative (LCEC), a not-for-profit electric distribution cooperative, is the primary electric utility for the City of Cape Coral. TECO Peoples Gas, an IOU, is Cape Coral’s primary natural gas utility. The State of Florida requires its utilities that 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 Cape Coral Utilities Department is the municipal utility that provides the City of Cape Coral with drinking water services, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management.
Last Updated: June 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, according to EIA, Lee County Electric Cooperative achieved 3,241 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 0.08% of its retail sales across the utility’s entire service jurisdiction, not only Cape Coral. In 2019, LCEC spent $445,000 on energy efficiency programs, which represents 0.11% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, TECO Peoples Gas reported 0.65 MMtherms of net natural gas savings at the meter, which represents 0.65% of its retail sales across the utility’s service territory. In 2019, TECO Peoples Gas spent $16,619,336 on energy efficiency, which equates to $45.97 per residential customer. These savings and spending figures cover the entire jurisdiction of both utilities, not just the City of Cape Coral.
TECO Peoples Gas offers natural gas efficiency programs to residential and business customers.
At this time, the City of Cape Coral does not have a formal partnership with LCEC or TECO in the form of a jointly-developed or administered energy saving strategy, plan, or agreement.
Last Updated: June 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
To our knowledge, Lee County Electric Cooperation and TECO Peoples Gas do not offer any energy efficiency programs targeted at low-income customers.
Multifamily Programs
To our knowledge, Lee County Electric Cooperation and TECO Peoples Gas do not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at multifamily units.
Last Updated: June 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Neither Lee County Electric Coop 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 Cape Coral does not provide community-wide energy usage information at the aggregate level. The City of Cape Coral 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: June 2021
Decarbonization and Climate Change Mitigation Efforts of Cities and Energy UtilitiesList All
Utility Climate Mitigation Goal
Lee County Electric Coop does not have a greenhouse gas reduction goal at this time.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
We were unable to determine the carbon emissions per capita from Lee County Electric Coop in 2019.
Last Updated: July 2021
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals
The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this point, the City of Cape Coral and its water utility have not established a water savings target or goal.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
The water utility has not yet set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies. The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy.
Last Updated: July 2021
Local Government Score:
0.5 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
Climate Mitigation Goal
Cape Coral 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 goal to reduce municipal electricity use.
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 find information on Cape Coral’s fleet procurement policies or fuel-efficiency requirements. We were unable to find data regarding fleet composition.
Public lighting
Cape Coral has an ordinance that requires the use of efficient outdoor lighting. We were unable to confirm if Cape Coral 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 Cape Coral.
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 Cape Coral's benchmarking practices.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
We were unable to find information regarding a comprehensive retrofit strategy in Cape Coral.
Last updated: June 2021