Grand Rapids
City Scorecard Rank
Grand Rapids, MI
The City of Grand Rapids adopted a Sustainability Plan for fiscal years 2017 to 2021.
Last updated: September 2021
Climate Mitigation Goal
The city does not have a community-wide climate mitigation or greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal.
Energy Reduction Goal
The city does not have a community-wide energy reduction goal. However, the city does have a 2030 District with a goal of 50% reduction in district-wide energy use by 2030 from a 2003 baseline.
Renewable Energy Goal
We did not find information regarding a community-wide renewable energy goal for the city.
Last updated: September 2021
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
The Community Collaboration on Climate Change (C4) by-laws state that the leadership team (steering council) must have at a minimum 50% BIPOC and voting decisions can only be made if at least 33% of the voting members are BIPOC. The C4 is the main group with which the City will work to co-create a Climate Action and Adaptation 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
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
UHI Mitigation Goal
The Sustainability Plan includes a goal to increase urban tree canopy coverage to 40% by 2021.
UHI Policies and Programs
The city’s Vital Streets program incorporates low impact development techniques into street planning and design.
The city has a private tree protection ordinance.
Last updated: September 2021
The City of Grand Rapids enforces the state’s building energy codes. The city does not have a comprehensive code compliance policy. Grand Rapids runs a voluntary benchmarking program through its 2030 District. Grand Rapids offers property assessed clean energy financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Last updated: June 2021
Overview
The State of Michigan has statewide requirements for residential and commercial buildings. The city participated in the 2021 IECC voting process and provided a letter to the ICC board to support the voting process instead of standard code adoption. To learn more about the building codes and requirements for the State of Michigan, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial construction must comply with the 2015 Michigan Energy Code. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 50.3.
Residential
Residential construction must comply with the 2015 Michigan Energy Code. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 57.0.
EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction to be EV-ready.
Solar-readiness policies
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction to be solar- and/or EV-ready, but does allow solar energy use in all zones.
Low-energy use requirements
Per the Sustainability Policy for City Buildings, all municipal buildings must achieve LEED standards.
Last updated: June 2021
Grand Rapids does not have any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires plan reviews and site inspections, but not performance testing, as a means of compliance verification. The city offers upfront support for energy code compliance through the Building Inspections Department.
Last updated: June 2021
Incentives
Grand Rapids offers commercial and multifamily property owners access to property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing for energy efficiency, renewable energy, and water conservation projects.
The City of Grand Rapids' Community Development Department offers the Housing Rehabilitation Program.
Voluntary programs
The city established a voluntary 2030 District, with 14 million square feet committed to the initiative.
Last updated: June 2021
We could not verify if the city has programs committed to developing a dedicated energy efficiency and/or renewable energy workforce.
Last updated: June 2021
Sustainable Transportation Plan
Multiple adopted plans have transportation components that speak to the City's transportation goals. Although a specific target has not been set, VMT reductions were highlighted as an effect of sustainable transportation in the Green Grand Rapids Report, and reduction of VMT was listed as a value in the City's Vital Streets Plan. The City of Grand Rapids Strategic Plan sets goals to create an accessible multi-modal transportation experience and reduce single-occupant vehicle travel. The main goal presented in the Strategic Plan is to increase the use of public transportation from 20.9 % (current metric from 2017) to 55 % by 2023. By implementing strategies related to this goal the city plans to reduce the number of automobiles on the road, vehicles miles traveled, and GHG emissions within the city limits. Some of the metrics in the Strategic Plan are especially relevant to supporting the goals of the Equitable Economic Development and Mobility Strategic Plan to have 150,000 jobs accessible in a 30-minute transit ride which can significantly reduce the vehicle miles traveled in Grand Rapids.
VMT/GHG Target and Stringency
The City of Grand Rapids Strategic Plan sets goals to create an accessible multi-modal transportation experience and reduce single-occupant vehicle travel. The main goal presented in the Strategic Plan is to increase the use of public transportation from 20.9 % (current metric from 2017) to 55 % by 2023. By implementing strategies related to this goal the city plans to reduce the number of automobiles on the road, vehicles miles traveled, and GHG emissions within the city limits. Some of the metrics in the Strategic Plan are especially relevant to supporting the goals of the Equitable Economic Development and Mobility Strategic Plan to have 150,000 jobs accessible in a 30-minute transit ride which can significantly reduce the vehicle miles traveled in Grand Rapids.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
The Offices of Sustainability and Mobility/Fleet/Transportation Dept. are working together to align mobility and GHG emission goals. This synergy allowed for the collection of emissions/fuel consumption data associated with fleet transportation, and also identifies opportunities for financing Electric Vehicles.
This partnership helped identifying that fleet emissions represents 12% of the total emissions for the city operations (municipal owned fleet). As a step forward, the city intends to evaluate cleaner fuels as well as more electric and hybrid vehicles for the City’s fleet in order to reduce the emissions associated with vehicles. The city is also working on an autonomous vehicle initiative.
Last Updated: November 2021
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
Areas with high transit access and priority corridors have overlays zoned to incentivize greater density and mixed use, including the city's Traditional Business Area, Transit Oriented Development, and other zoning designations. The City’s current form-based zoning ordinance was unanimously approved in 2007 and has been amended in its entirety several times to increase density, add new uses (such as marijuana), and insure that the appropriate urban design adjustments are made to encourage on-street parking and transit improvements. Both pedestrian and vehicular connectivity is required, as is bicycle parking. There are no exclusive single-family zone districts for the entire city. The ordinance was written after an extensive community engagement process with the understanding that if the code properly reflects the public’s desire for walkable, mixed-use, transit-oriented development, then the project should be approved with administrative approval.
Residential Parking Policies
There are no parking minimums, and there are parking maximums for the Downtown and TOD-zoned properties. In all other neighborhoods, there is a parking maximum, and the Planning Director can halve requirements if transit is present, car sharing, shared parking arrangements, on-street parking, and other mechanisms. In 2007 the Zoning Ordinance was re-written; at that time parking numbers were cut in half from pre-2007 numbers (e.g. 2.5 spaces/1,000 square feet instead of formerly 5 spaces/1,000 sq ft).
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
Density bonuses are employed to encourage mixed-income housing, affordable housing, and accessible housing.
Last Updated: November 2021
Mode Shift Targets
In the latest strategic plan, Grand Rapids has a goal to achieve 50% total commute trips by transit, walking, biking, and ridesharing.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
The city plans to update their metrics in their strategic plan every 6 months. An update has not been made at this time.
Complete Streets
Grand Rapids adopted its complete streets policy in 2011.
Last Updated: November 2021
Transportation Funding
The transportation entities that serve the City of Grand Rapids have received $28,902,929.20 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $69.15 per capita between 2015 and 2019 within the Authority's 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 Grand Rapids Transit Connectivity Index value is 6.5, scoring 0.5 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: November 2021
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
Although the city has acquired 3 electric cars and 70 hybrid vehicles as a result of the city’s commitment to reduce emissions associated with the city fleet, the city does not currently offer incentives for the purchase of these types of vehicles.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
Although the city does not offer incentives for electric vehicles, there is a specific goal in the City’s Strategic Plan to increase the number of city-owned electric vehicle charging stations from 8 to 20 (16 -40 chargers) by 2023.
Our utility company, Consumers Energy, provides incentives as rebates for commercial and residential vehicle charging infrastructure. The incentives vary from $400 (residential) up to $70,000 for fast charging stations.
EV Charging Locations
The City has 67 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 33.3 ports per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
Grand Rapids does not have an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
Grand Rapids does not have an EV transit bus goal.
Last Updated: November 2021
Grand Rapids does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Affordable New TOD Housing Policy
Grand Rapids does not have any requirements or incentives in place to develop or preserve affordable housing in transit-served areas.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
City Commission approved Grand Rapids’ first comprehensive Bicycle Action Plan on July 23, 2019. The plan includes recommendations for policies and programs to support bicycling year-round and connected, high-quality bicycling facilities. One of the main goals of this Plan is to provide access to bicycling for all members of the community. The Rapid provides reduced fare bus passes for low-income individuals. In addition, the DASH bus system is free.
Last Updated: November 2021
Consumers Energy, an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric utility for the City of Grand Rapids. The primary natural gas supplier for Grand Rapids is DTE Energy, an IOU. The State of Michigan requires spending and savings targets for its electric and rate-regulated natural gas utilities through an EERS. The utilities must file documentation of energy efficiency programs to the state PUC. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Michigan page of the State Database.
The City of Grand Rapids Water Department is the municipal utility that provides the City of Grand Rapids with drinking water services, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management.
Last Updated: July 2021
In 2019, Consumers Energy reported 566,183 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 1.55% of its electric retail sales. In 2019, Consumers Energy spent $115,987,100 on electric energy efficiency programs, which represents 2.73% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, DTE reported savings of 17.75 MMtherms from natural gas efficiency programs, representing 1.38% of its natural gas retail sales. In 2019, DTE spent $29,457,955 on natural gas energy efficiency, which equates to $24.81 per residential gas customer. These savings figures cover the entire Michigan service territory, not just Grand Rapids.
Consumers Energy offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and business customers. DTE similarly offers natural gas incentives to residential and commercial/industrial customers.
While the City of Grand Rapids does not have an official partnership with its utilities, both the electricity and natural gas utilities sit on the City’s Energy Advisory Committee, which is charged with challenging the city to stay at the forefront of energy work. The City is also working collaboratively with the utilities on reducing the city’s municipal energy use and developing a program for low-income residents. The city of Grand Rapids is also an official partner of DTE’s Energy Efficiency Assistance program.
Last Updated: July 2021
Low-Income Programs
The Consumers Energy’s Income-Qualified Energy Efficiency Assistance Program consists of various residential initiatives serving households that meet the income criteria of being at or below 200% of the federal poverty level (FPL) or 80% of AMI. This program aids single-family, income-eligible Consumers Energy customers to reduce energy consumption and improve comfort in their home. It offers no-cost direct services that include energy efficiency upgrades, home energy assessments and energy-saving education.
The program collaborates with local stakeholders, such as the municipal government, Community Action Agencies, Habitat for Humanity, United Way 211, Housing Commissions, and many additional non-profit organizations. The program uses a variety of delivery strategies and delivery channels, such as home energy assessments, food bank lighting distribution, collaboration with community-based organizations, and deeper weatherization measures. The program leverages other funding sources such as the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), and philanthropic funds to complete housing retrofit/weatherization projects. When offering rebate incentives to community-action agencies or community-based organizations, utility program funding is leveraged with other funding sources such MSHDA Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) or available financing options.
The Consumers Energy Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program consists of various offerings for customers that meet the eligibility requirements for the program. Multifamily is defined as properties containing 3+ units under a single roof. Income qualified is defined as 66% of tenants living at or under 200% of the federal poverty level or 80% of AMI. This program offers direct install of free products including LED bulbs, pipe wrap, showerheads and faucet aerators. The program also provides access to prescriptive measures for HVAC, lighting, water heating and building envelope. Any projects that do not qualify under the prescriptive measures can also apply for a custom project were the savings are calculated based on actual energy savings. Customers are also eligible to receive an assessment which identifies recommendations and measures that customers may take advantage of energy efficiency upgrades in their properties. In 2020, Consumer Energy launched a single family and multifamily Health and Safety Pilot. The program works with nonprofits to improve home conditions—including plumbing, roof, mold, moisture, and indoor air quality—that needs to be remedied so that energy efficiency measures can be installed.
In 2019, according to Consumers Energy, it saved 26,906 MWh in electric savings, while spending $4,240,186 on its low-income program and served 9,000 low-income customers with their program.
DTE offers the Energy Efficiency Assistance Program which provides recommendations, direct installation of qualified energy efficiency measures and education to income-qualified DTE customers in order to assist them in reducing their energy use and managing their utility costs. The program leverages the services provided by member agencies of the Michigan Community Action Agency Association (MCAAA), municipalities, counties, public housing commissions, faith-based institutions, community development corporations, and nonprofit organizations with existing housing and energy programs. direct installation of qualified EWR measures and education to income-qualified DTE customers in order to assist them in reducing their energy use and managing their utility costs. The residential Low-Income Program also includes customers residing in designated low-income multifamily units.
DTE delivers “incentive” funding to low-income customers through a variety of in-kind services, such as weatherization, furnace tune up and replacement, insulation, water heater replacement plus the replacement of inefficient refrigerators with ENERGY STAR® model refrigerators in single-family homes and low-income multifamily dwellings, and in-home consultation and installation of energy-efficient measures through the Home Energy Consultation (HEC) Program. Low-cost measures such as LEDs, pipe wrap, energy efficient showerheads and faucet aerators are installed at no cost to low-income multifamily tenants. The low-income multifamily program also expanded its measure offerings to multifamily tenants to include more expensive items, such as refrigerators, also at no cost to the customer.
DTE streamlines eligibility requirements by using the same requirements as many other programs for low-income customers. Through the Energy Efficiency Assistance program, DTE partners directly with local agencies, municipalities, counties, public housing commissions, faith-based institutions, community development corporations, and nonprofit organizations to offer housing and energy programs. DTE also offers a multifamily low-income program that provides direct install of energy efficiency measures in multifamily rental properties, provides energy information and education to tenants, ensures participation is clear and easy, and covers a portion or all of the cost for common area improvements. DTE also offers two additional programs for low-income customers: 1) Home Energy Consultation Low-Income, and 2) Home Energy Reports for low-income customers.
In 2019, according to DTE, it achieved 2.08 MMtherms in energy savings, while spending $8,371,838 and serving 122,426 natural gas customers.
The City of Grand Rapids, through our Community Development Department, offers the Housing Rehabilitation Program. This program is federally funded, though administered by City staff. This program is restricted to low-income homeowners. The program helps low-income homeowners determine what repairs are needed. Assistance also includes insuring that the homeowner gets a fair price and will ensure that projects get complete with good quality. The loan can be between $1,000 and $24,000 and can fund repairs or upgrades to improve energy efficiency, emergency repairs, exterior repairs, health and safety improvements, repairs for accessibility, and treating lead-based paint or asbestos hazards. The City also offers the Get the Lead Out program, which provides loans and/or coverage for the repairs needed to ensure safe and lead-free homes. This can help address barriers to full home weatherization.
Multifamily Programs
The Consumers Energy Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program offers equipment incentives to building owners that include lighting, lighting controls, heating, cooling, ventilation, water heating, building envelope and custom measures, for whole building energy retrofit opportunities for major renovation/new construction. The program also includes direct install measures for tenants and common areas that include lighting, aerators, showerheads, pipe wrap, and thermostats. For income qualified customers, expanded measures are offered for air sealing and insulation, smart thermostat and some appliances.
In 2019, according to Consumers Energy, its multifamily program achieved 9,367 MWh in savings, while spending $4,436,781 and serving 95,120 housing units in 300 multifamily properties.
DTE provides two comprehensive programs for multifamily properties. The Multifamily In-Unit Improvements Program offers no-cost direct install of energy efficient lighting, showerheads, faucet aerators, programmable thermostats, and pipe wrap installation where units have electric water heating. The program also conducts a free energy assessment to identify other potential energy-saving upgrades. Additionally, these utilities offer the Multifamily Common Areas Improvements Program, which offers rebates for common area measures such as interior and exterior lighting, furnace/boiler upgrades, water heating, air conditioning, building and duct insulation, programmable thermostats, and ENERGY STAR windows.
Savings, spending, and participation data for 2019 was not available.
Last Updated: August 2021
Neither Consumers Energy nor DTE Energy provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings. Consumers Energy and DTE Energy provide energy usage data to the city who uses the data in their planning processes, yet this data is not made available to the public. The city of Grand Rapids is working with the utilities to have these data disaggregated and available to the public.
The City of Grand Rapids negotiates with both utilities to provide better data access to help residents and businesses within the city. Grand Rapids and Consumers Energy are partnering on a data access pilot. The City also advocates to state legislators on proposed bills required utility companies to provide better access to utility data.
Last Updated: August 2021
Utility Climate Mitigation Goal
In February 2020, Consumers Energy announced a goal of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040. To achieve this goal, Eversource Energy will need to reduce emissions by 4.8% annually from 2019 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
The City of Grand Rapid’s has provided public comments to the Michigan Public Service Commission (PSC) advocating for increased energy efficiency and renewable energy. The city is also working with Consumers Energy on strategies to accomplish the city’s renewable energy goals as well as increase renewable energy generation within the city. Both the electric and natural gas utility sit in on the city’s Energy Advisory Committee, which is charged with challenging the city to stay at the forefront of energy work. They also work collaboratively on reducing the city’s municipal energy use and developing programs for low-income residents.
The City participates in discussions about the Utility IRP plans and provides feedback to ensure the utility understands the City's goals and how their plans will impact city efforts and programs. In these discussions, the city advocates for more renewable generation in the utility generation mix and for more energy efficiency programs for low-income communities.
Last Updated: July 2021
Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals
The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. However, Consumers Energy does offer a number of rebates to residential customers that include water efficiency measures, such as clothes washers. Consumers Energy also offered dedicated focus to the water and waste sector through its Industrial Energy Program.
The water and wastewater utilities of Grand Rapids are operating under an ESCO to achieve greater efficiencies. The water utility also participates in Consumers Energy’s demand response program. The wastewater utility utilizes energy programs and rebates by the utility. Both the water and wastewater utilities also participate in the Consumers Energy Business Energy Efficiency Program (CEBEEP), which offers dedicated focus to the Municipal Water and Wastewater sector through the Industrial Energy Program (IEP). The wastewater utility utilizes energy programs and rebates by the utility. At this time, the City of Grand Rapids has not established a water savings target or goal.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
The water utility has set a goal to reduce electricity consumption for water filtration and distribution system by 5% as compared to FY2018 by FY2021. In addition, the water filtration plant and wastewater treatment plant both have ESCO agreements for the reduction of energy in their operations. The water utility participates in Consumers Energy’s demand response program, while the wastewater utility utilizes energy programs and rebates by the utility. Both the water and wastewater utilities also participate in the Consumers Energy Business Energy Efficiency Program (CEBEEP), which offers dedicated focus to the Municipal Water and Wastewater sector through the Industrial Energy Program (IEP). The water treatment ESCO for the Lake Michigan Filtration Plant (LMFP) is projected to save 676,215 kWh a year and 223,787 cubic feet (CCF) a year with a savings of about $191,427. The wastewater department is a member of the DOE Better Buildings program and has a goal to 25% reduction in energy intensity.
The City of Grand Rapids is implementing a biodigester project with Combined Heat and Power units that will offset 65% of the total electricity purchases from the utility company.
Last Updated: July 2021
The City of Grand Rapids’s Sustainability Plan FY2017 – FY2021 focuses on improving the sustainability of municipal operations and the community, including in the climate and energy sectors.
Climate Mitigation Goal
The Sustainability Plan establishes a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from municipal operations by 25% below 2009 levels by 2021. ACEEE projects the city will achieve its GHG emissions reduction goal for local government operations.
Energy Reduction Goal
We did not find information regarding a municipal energy reduction goal.
Renewable Energy Goal
The Sustainability Plan also includes a goal for the city government to use 100% renewable energy for municipal operations by 2025. In 2019, 37% of the total electricity consumption from city operations was from renewable resources. Onsite solar generation accounted for approximately 1% of the total renewable electricity.
Last updated: June 2021
Fleet Policies and Composition
Grand Rapids does not have a formal fleet procurement policy, but the city makes efforts to purchase hybrid and electric vehicles for its light duty fleet. Recently we have made a commitment through the Climate Mayors EV Purchasing Collaborative, to purchase 20 electric and plug-in hybrid by the end of 2020. Grand Rapids’ municipal fleet is currently composed of 12.2% efficient vehicles, including hybrid and battery electric.
Public Lighting
Grand Rapids Outdoor Lighting Ordinance includes provisions of the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance and requires LEDs to use intelligent lighting controls. The City is currently replacing all street lighting fixtures to LED. This upgrade is expected to reduce electricity consumption from street lighting by 35% and provide annual savings of $350,000. The LED replacement is scheduled to end in 2022. Currently approximately 12% of streetlights are LED.
Onsite and offsite renewable systems
Grand Rapids has installed 25 kW of solar generation capacity on City facilities.
Inclusive procurement
We were unable to verify if the city has inclusive procurement and contracting processes.
Last updated: June 2021
Buildings Benchmarking
Grand Rapids benchmarks all municipal facilities and have all energy data loaded in Energy Star Portfolio Manager.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
The city's comprehensive asset management program manages energy efficiency upgrades. Over the past 5 years, Grand Rapids has implemented many efficiency projects. Since 2008, Grand Rapids has received over $900,000 in rebates from the electric utility and has avoided over 11,000,000 kWh of electricity usage through the implementation of energy efficiency projects.
Last updated: June 2021