Greensboro
City Scorecard Rank
90
Greensboro, NC
7.50Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 0 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Summary List All
The City of Greensboro developed the 2011 Sustainability Action Plan but the plan was never formally adopted by the city.
Last updated: September 2021
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
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: 2 out of 30 points
Buildings Summary List All
The City of Greensboro enforces the state energy code. The city has extensive code compliance processes. We could not find information on city-mandated benchmarking policies or above-code energy action requirements.
Last updated: July 2021
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of North Carolina requires local jurisdictions to comply with the state-mandated building energy codes. All buildings must comply with the 2018 North Carolina Energy Conservation Code, which is less stringent than the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and the ASHRAE 90.1-2007. To learn more about the building codes and requirements for the State of North Carolina, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial construction in Greensboro complies with the North Carolina Codes. The city’s zEPI score for its commercial energy code is 57.6.
Residential
Residential construction in Greensboro complies with the North Carolina Codes. The city’s zEPI score for its residential energy code is 62.9.
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.
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
Greensboro requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing to ensure code compliance. Energy efficiency requirements are included in the permit application forms and an energy efficiency certificate that includes duct testing results is also required. 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
Incentives
The city offers Energy efficiency and solar permit rebates through the permitting process.
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: 3 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
The Greensboro Sustainability Action Plan (2011) does not outline specific VMT goals but does have a strong focus on transportation-relevant policies.
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
There have been reviews of modeling studies conducted that show some potentially positive effects of strategies encompassed within the Greensboro Sustainability Action Plan, however, no real-world tracking seems to have been done.
Last Updated: November 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning
There are several districts within the city such as the Commercial High District (C-H) and the Central Business District (CB) that are zoned for high density and/or mixed-use.
Residential Parking Requirements
Certain building forms have a minimum parking requirement as low as .75 spaces per bedroom/dwelling unit.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosures
We could not confirm if there are incentives available through the City to promote location efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Target
The Greensboro Sustainability Action Plan (2011) does not outline specific mode-shift/mode-share goals, but it does describe the importance of bicycle commuting and transit.
Progress Toward Mode Shift Target
No progress has been achieved, as there are no targets in place.
Complete Streets
No Policy Found
Last Updated: November 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transportation entities that serve the City of Greensboro have received $20,997,754.80 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $12.52 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 Greensboro’s Transit Connectivity Index value is 3.7, scoring 0 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: November 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
At this time, Greensboro does not have incentives for citizens to purchase hybrid, plug-in, or EV vehicles.
Incentives for EV Charging Stations
Neither the City of Greensboro or any of the utilities that serve its residents are providing incentives towards the installation of EV charging infrastructure at this time.
EV Infrastructure
The City has 48 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 16.2 ports per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
Greensboro does not have an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
Greensboro does not have an EV transit bus goal.
Last Updated: November 2021
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Greensboro does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Clean, Efficient Transportation for Low-Income CommunitiesList All
Affordable New TOD Housing Policy
Greensboro does not have any policies in place to address or help encourage affordable TOD housing development.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
Neither the City of Greensboro 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: November 2021
Energy & Water Utilities
Score: 2 out of 15 points
Energy & Water Utilities Summary List All
Duke Energy Carolinas, an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric utility serving the City of Greensboro. Piedmont Natural Gas, an IOU, is Greensboro’s primary natural gas utility. The State of North Carolina has implemented a renewable energy and energy efficiency portfolio standard in which levels of energy efficiency must be achieved annually by the state’s utilities through demand-side programs. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the North Carolina page of the State Database.
The City of Greensboro Water Resources Department is the municipal utility that provides the City of Greensboro with drinking water services, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, according to EIA, Duke Energy Carolinas achieved 779,302 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 1.33% of its retail sales across the utility’s entire service jurisdiction, not only Greensboro. In 2019, Duke Energy Carolinas spent $89,396,000 on energy efficiency programs, which represents 1.84% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, Piedmont Natural Gas either did not spend or did not report spending or savings on natural gas efficiency programs. These savings and spending figures cover the entire jurisdiction of both utilities, not just the City of Greensboro.
Duke offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and commercial/industrial customers.
At this time, the City of Greensboro does not have a formal partnership with Duke Energy Carolinas or Piedmont in the form of a jointly-developed or administered energy saving strategy, plan, or agreement.
Last Updated: August 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
Duke Energy Carolinas offers the Neighborhood Energy Saver (NES) Program to qualified low-income residential customers. This weatherization assistance program provides many direct-install measures such as lightbulbs, aerators, showerheads, weather stripping, door sweeps, caulk and insulation, and water heater adjustments. The NES program reaches out to local government (mayors, city council, community leaders) for involvement in the kickoff event and to provide support for the program.
Duke Energy Carolinas also offers the Residential Income-Qualified Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Assistance for Individuals Program to qualified low-income residential customers. This weatherization assistance program provides, on the basis of need, measures provided under the NES Program, additional insulation, air sealing, refrigerator replacement, and electric HVAC system replacement. Both programs are administered in coordination with local agencies that administer state weatherization programs and other agencies selected by Duke Energy.
In 2019, Duke Energy Carolinas achieved 6,419 MWh in energy savings, while spending $5,367,996 in its low-income programs and serving 7,583 customers.
At this time, Piedmont Natural Gas does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at low-income customers.
Multifamily Programs
Duke Energy Carolinas offers the Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program. This program offers no-cost direct install of high-efficiency light bulbs, faucet aerators, showerheads, and hot water pipe wrapping in multifamily building units. In 2019, according to Duke Energy Carolinas, it achieved 15,597 MWh in savings, while spending $2,960,649 and providing 414,895 measures.
At this time, Piedmont Natural Gas does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at multifamily properties.
Last Updated: July 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Neither Duke Energy Carolinas nor Piedmont Natural Gas provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings. The City of Greensboro does not provide community-wide energy usage information at the aggregate level for community planning and evaluation purposes. The City of Greensboro 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 September 2019, Duke Energy set a goal to reduce carbon emissions by at least 50% by 2030 from 2005 levels, with a goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To achieve a 50% reduction by 2030, Duke Energy will need to reduce emissions by 2.5% annually from 2019 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
At this time, we cannot confirm whether or not the city of Greensboro 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 currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this time, the City of Greensboro and its water utility have not established a water savings target or goal. However, the city does offer water saving tips online.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
The water utility has not 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
Greensboro 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.
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
Greensboro has adopted a policy requiring the purchase of the most fuel efficient vehicle available. We were unable to find data regarding fleet composition.
Public lighting
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. We were unable to confirm if Greensboro 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 Greensboro.
Inclusive procurement
While we were unable to verify if the policy had been applied to energy projects, Greensboro has a minority and women-owned business enterprise program that establishes goals for inclusive procurement.
Last updated: June 2021
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
We were unable to find information regarding Greensboro’s benchmarking practices.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
We were unable to find information regarding a comprehensive retrofit strategy in Greensboro.
Last update: June 2021