Kansas City
City Scorecard Rank
25
Kansas City, MO
43.50Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Local Government Score:
3.5 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
Kansas City’s Resolution No. 170586 established many of the city government’s municipal climate and energy goals. The city’s 2008 Climate Action Plan also includes relevant municipal goals. Kansas City Resolution No. 080754 formally adopted the goals recommended by the 2008 Climate Action Plan.
Climate Mitigation Goal
The 2008 Climate Action Plan includes a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from municipal operations 30% below 2000 levels by 2020. To meet this goal, the city must reduce per capita emissions by 2% annually. Based on ACEEE’s analysis of past years emissions data, ACEEE projects that the city will meet its near-term GHG emissions reduction goal for municipal operations.
Energy Reduction Goal
Kansas City aims to reduce local governement energy use 50% by 2050. The Resolution includes a goal to achieve ENERGY STAR certification for 90% of municipal buildings over 25,000 square feet.
Renewable Energy Goal
The Resolution commits the city to procuring 100% of electricity from renewable energy resources by 2020.
Last updated: March 2020
Procurement and Construction List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
Kansas City began developing a new fleet administrative regulation in 2018. The regulation is planned to be adopted by 2020. The regulation states that the City will purchase alternative fuel vehicles when available to displace conventionally fueled vehicles. When conventionally fueled vehicles must be purchased, the City will use idle-reduction and speed limiting technologies to reduce fuel consumption. We were unable to find data regarding fleet composition.
Public Lighting
Kansas City has not adopted a policy requiring efficient outdoor lighting, such as the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance. However, there are outdoor lighting standards in place intended to protect the public health and general welfare by controlling the adverse impacts of glare and light trespass associated with poorly shielded or inappropriately directed lighting fixtures. Although Kansas City does not have a written policy for outdoor lighting replacement or upgrade, the City has converted one hundred percent (100%) of Traffic Signals to LED. The City is now working on street light conversion to LED. Streetlights are scheduled, so they only operate when needed.
Onsite renewable systems
Kansas City has installed approximately 1.5 MW of solar on municipal facilities.
Inclusive procurement
Kansas City’s PACE program encourages increased contracting of MBEs and WBEs.
Last updated: March 2020
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
Kansas City benchmarks approximately 80% of its public building square footage through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager and is in the process of extending an automated tracking and analysis system to all its buildings.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
Although we could not confirm if Kanas City has adopted a comprehensive retrofit strategy for its municipal buildings, this City has implemented retrofits in several public buildings. While data on funding invested in this retrofits is not readily available, energy costs avoided is reported at almost $1.5 million over a 3-year period. Overall, the city has reduced its electricity usage by 21%, including all uses, between 2000 and 2013.
Public Workforce Commuting
Kansas City has established a Personal Alternative Work Schedule.
Last updated: July 2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 7.5 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Summary List All
Kansas City formally adopted its Climate Protection Plan in 2008.
Kansas City’s Office of Environmental Quality leads the city’s implementation of its community-wide energy efficiency initiatives.
Last updated: March 2020
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The Climate Protection Plan includes a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 30% below 2000 levels by 2020 and 80% below 2000 levels by 2050. Based on ACEEE’s analysis of past years emissions data, ACEEE projects that the city will meet its near-term community-wide GHG emissions reduction goal.
The city has released multiple greenhouse gas inventories.
Energy Reduction Goal
The Climate Protection Plan includes a goal to reduce community-wide energy use 50% by 2050.
Renewable Energy Goal
The Climate Protection Plan also includes a goal to use renewable energy to power 50% of community demand by 2050.
Energy Data Reporting
The city’s greenhouse gas inventories include community energy data.
This section applies only to community-wide energy data reporting. For information on data reporting due to building energy benchmarking and disclosure policies, click on the Buildings tab.
Last updated: September 2020
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.
Accountability to Equity
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: August 2020
Clean Distributed Energy SystemsList All
The city has not adopted a formal policy, rule, or agreement that supports the creation of clean distributed energy systems.
Last updated: March 2020
Mitigation of Urban Heat Islands List All
UHI Mitigation Goal
The city’s Climate Protection Plan contains an urban heat island mitigation goal to increase urban tree canopy to 40% of the city’s land cover. The city does allow for open space and conservation developments that encourage the permanent protection of land alongside dense residential development patterns.
UHI Policies and Programs
The City has adopted the Envision Green Infrastructure Rating System as an integral part of its municipal Green and Sustainable Procurement Policy.
Last updated: August 2020
Buildings Policies
Score: 13.5 out of 30 points
Buildings Summary List All
Kansas City adopted the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with amendments. The city requires benchmarking and disclosure for commercial, public, and multifamily buildings. Kansas City also offers incentives for energy efficiency upgrades.
Last updated: September 2020
Building Energy Code AdoptionList All
Overview
The State of Missouri is home-ruled and allows local jurisdictions to set their own building codes. The State of Missouri has not adopted statewide building or energy codes. To learn more about Missouri’s building energy codes, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Kansas City has the authority to set its own building codes. The city council adopted the 2012 IECC with amendments. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 50.1.
Residential
Kansas City has the authority to set its own building codes. The city council adopted the 2012 IECC with amendments. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 54.4.
Solar- and EV-ready
The city does not have a policy mandating new developments be solar- and/or EV-ready.
Low-energy use requirements
New municipal buildings must achieve LEED Gold standards.
Last updated: September 2020
Building Energy Code Enforcement and ComplianceList All
Kansas City has two full-time employees solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The city requires building code officials to complete energy code training. Kansas City requires a portion of new one and two family buildings to undergo third party building envelope and duct tightness. The city offers upfront support to developers and owners through trainings about energy code compliance.
Last updated: September 2020
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Commercial and multifamily benchmarking
Kansas City passed an energy benchmarking/rating and transparency policy for commercial, public, and multifamily residential buildings through the Energy Empowerment Program. The program requires public buildings greater than 10,000 square feet and commercial and multifamily buildings greater than 50,000 square feet to benchmark energy data. The policy covers 70% of commercial buildings and 83% of multifamily buildings in the city.
Incentives
Homeowners may apply for property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing for energy-efficient and water-saving home through the HERO Program. Kansas City's energyworks loan program provides low-interest loans to home and business owners to make energy efficiency upgrades to their buildings. The city also expedites permits for solar energy systems.
Last updated: September 2020
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce DevelopmentList All
Kansas City has negotiated with PACE programs to encourage increased contracting of MBEs and WBEs.
Last updated: September 2020
Energy & Water Utilities
Score: 7 out of 15 points
Energy & Water Utilities Summary List All
Evergy, (previously Kansas City Power & Light (KCP&L)), an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric utility serving Kansas City. Spire Missouri, an IOU, is Kansas City’s primary natural gas utility. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Missouri page of the State Database.
Kansas City Water Services (KC Water) is the municipally-run utility responsible for providing drinking water, treating wastewater, and managing stormwater for Kansas City.
Last Updated: March 2020
Electric & Gas Energy Efficiency Programs and SavingsList All
In 2018, Evergy reported 80,326 MWh in net incremental savings, representing 0.93% of retail sales. In 2018, Evergy spent $10,715,000 on energy efficiency programs, which represents 1.11% of its retail revenue.
In 2018, Spire Missouri reported 1.92 MMtherms of net natural gas savings at the meter, which represents 0.22% of its retail sales across the utility’s service territory. In 2018, Spire Missouri spent $5.3 million on energy efficiency, which equates to $4.69 per residential customer. These savings and spending figures cover the entire jurisdiction of both utilities, not just Kansas City.
Evergy offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and business customers. Spire Missouri Energy similarly offers natural gas efficiency programs to residential and commercial customers.
At this time, Kansas City does not have a formal partnership with Evergy or Spire Missouri in the form of a jointly developed or administered energy saving strategy, plan, or agreement.
Last Updated: June 2020
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
Evergy offers the Income-Eligible Weatherization Program for both single- and multifamily low-income residential customers. This program is intended to assist customers in reducing their energy usage by weatherizing their homes. In order to qualify, customers must meet income eligibility guidelines. Optional measures for the single-family program include attic, duct, floor, and wall insulation; furnace tune-ups; high-efficiency boilers and furnaces; heat pump replacement; lighting retrofits- heating system replacements; and water pipe insulation. Additional measures may be included on a case-by-case basis. The multifamily program includes direct install measures such as lighting, water efficiency measures, and smart power strips. Both programs include health and safety measures and target high energy users, elderly households, and customers enrolled in the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and the Economic Relief Pilot Program (ERPP). The program is administered by the Salvation Army.
In 2018 according to Evergy, it achieved 521 MWh savings, whiles spending $446,551 on its low-income programs and served 3,023 low-income customers.
Spire Missouri's Low-Income Weatherization program offers weatherization measures including weather-stripping, caulking, HVAC filter replacement, HVAC repair/replace, and low-flow faucet aerators and showerheads. The program partners with the Missouri Department of Economic Development, Community Action Agencies (CAA), Missouri Weatherization PAC, Committee to Keep Missourians Warm, Earthways Center, US Green Building Council, and Energy Efficiency for All.
In 2018 according to Spire Missouri, it achieved 0.11 MMtherms natural gas savings, whiles spending $2,084,016 on its low-income programs and served 4,756 low-income customers.
Multifamily Programs
Evergy and Spire jointly-offer the Income-Eligible Multi-Family Program. This program offers no-cost in-unit direct install of energy-efficient equipment for properties with low-income residents. Property owners are also eligible for incentives for the installation of energy-efficient equipment in common areas.
In 2018, according to Evergy, it achieved 3,408 MWh savings, while spending $695,757 on its multifamily program. The number of customers served by their 2018 multifamily program was not available. In 2018, Spire Missouri spent $338,016 while serving 1,886 with this joint program. Savings values were not available.
Last Updated: June 2020
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Evergy provides whole-building data to customers. Kansas City and Evergy also partner on the Department of Energy's Better Buildings Initiative, Energy Data Accelerator, to facilitate better access to energy usage data.
Last Updated: March 2020
Renewable Energy Efforts of Energy UtilitiesList All
Renewable Energy Incentives
Evergy’s Solar Power Rebate program provides $0.50 per watt to qualified residential and commercial customers. In 2018, we were unable to determine the total spending and kW installed through the program.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
Kansas City typically intervenes in pending renewable energy cases, while not often providing written comments. While not a specific formal partnership, the City most recently passed Resolution 181000 regarding the City’s goal of procuring 100% carbon-free electricity. The city is working to facilitate and achieve parts of the resolution with renewable energy efforts.
Last Updated: March 2020
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
City-wide water efficiency and goals
Although there is active cooperation between the energy and water utilities, the efforts are performed individually and supportively, while not jointly. Although KC Water has funded water efficiency rebates in the past through WaterWorks, we could not confirm if the utility still funds programs to help customers save water. KC Water has established a non-revenue water (NRW) goal to reduce commercial and actual NRW, or water loss from leakage, metering inaccuracies, unseen line losses, and theft.
Water plant efficiency and self-generation
The Wastewater Treatment Division of Kansas City is currently working to reduce energy usage by 1% per year and assure all new equipment is as energy efficient as reasonably possible, within the context of the overall lifecycle cost of the asset, consistent with the Green and Sustainable Procurement Policy. The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy.
Last Updated: March 2020
Transportation
Score: 12 out of 30 points
Transportation Summary List All
The transportation authority serving Kansas City is the Kansas City Area Transportation Authority (ATA). ATA provides the public transportation for the city and broader metropolitan area, including bus and vanpool services. The Mid-America Regional Council (MARC) is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses Kansas City and surrounding jurisdictions, including five counties in Missouri and four in Kansas. The Kansas City Department of Transportation is charged with managing the city’s transportation network.
Last updated: January 2017
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
Kansas City has a Livable Streets plan that encourages active living, including utilization of walking and biking as transportation alternatives.
VMT/GHG Target and Stringency
At this time, the City does not have a codified vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduction target. The City does have codified GHG reduction targets for the transportation sector within its Climate Protection Plan.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
We could not determine if the City tracks VMT or GHG numbers.
Last Updated: March 2019
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
Kansas City has had a form-based code for its downtown area since 2007. The city also has a traditional neighborhood design district (TND) to create a mixed-use environment with walking as the predominant form of transportation. In addition, the zoning code requires short-term and long-term bike parking for commercial and industrial developments and any residential development in excess of 12 units. The Main Street Overlay was adopted in early 2018 and requires transit-oriented development along the Main Street corridor to correspond with the proposed extension of the Streetcar. Other similar overlays are in place for the Troost Corridor and the Independence Avenue Corridor. The City also has provisions for pedestrian oriented/mixed use development in the Downtown area, exemptions from parking requirements in the Streetcar area, and reduced parking requirements in areas near transit.
Residential Parking Policies
One parking space is generally required per single-family residential unit and 4 spaces per multifamily unit. There are exemptions and reductions for locations within the downtown area, along the proposed streetcar route, within the Crossroads, and in Westport.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
There are no incentives available through the City to promote location efficiency.
Last Updated: March 2019
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
Both the Climate Action Plan (2008) and the forthcoming Bike KC Master Plan set a mode shift goal target, specifically moving the number of cyclists from 0.3% to over 5%.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
The City tracks mode shift through the American Community Survey (trips to/from work). Additionally, the City can track the number of miles ridden on dockless scooters and bicycles in the market with the assistance of each individual provider. No measured shift has occurred to date.
Complete Streets
Kansas City passed its Complete Streets Ordinance (Resolution 22-11) in 2011.
Car Sharing
Kansas City is served by zipcar. The City has made accommodations for rideshare vehicle parking on City streets and is currently exploring additional areas for rideshare operations in the downtown area. The City is also working on developing a policy to allow and encourage free-floating car share operations in the City.
Bike Sharing
The City has a bike sharing program, Kansas City B-cycle, which has a 24/7 public dock-based bike share system. They have 41 stations serving Downtown, North Kansas City, Westport, the Country Club Plaza, KCAI and The Nelson-Atkins Museum, 18th & Vine Jazz District, and the Trolley Track Trail. The City has partnered with the Blue Cross/Blue Shield BikeShare program and is expanding the number of available bicycles for far greater coverage and impact.
Last Updated: May 2019
Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The ATA transit system that serves Kansas City has received $75,798,286.80 in average annual funding from 2013-2017. This funding level is $36.29 per resident in the service territory of the agency, putting the city in the second lowest category ($20-49) available in transit funding.
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. Kansas City’s Transit Connectivity Index value is 4.8, putting it in the lowest category (0-4.99) available in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: March 2019
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
At this time, Kansas City 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 owns 166 charging stations available for public use.
Renewable Charging Incentives
At this time, Kansas City has no incentives or requirements available for the installation of private or public EV charging infrastructure powered by renewable energy (solar, wind, etc.).
Last Updated: March 2019
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Kansas City does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: March 2019
Clean, Efficient Transportation for Low-Income CommunitiesList All
Affordable New TOD Housing Policy
Kansas City does not have any requirements or incentives in place to encourage the development or preservation of affordable housing in transit-served areas.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
The Kansas City BCycle has reduced memberships for low-income residents ($10 annually). In addition, participants in the forthcoming (Spring 2019) shared active transportation pilot program (dockless scooters and bikes) will require 20% of fleets to deploy in low-life expectancy zip codes and must provide equitable pricing and payment options for low-income residents.
Low-Income Access to High Quality Transit
In Kansas City, almost 67% of low-income households have access to high-quality transit.
Last Updated: April 2019