Las Vegas
City Scorecard Rank
32
Las Vegas, NV
38.00Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 5.5 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Summary List All
The City of Las Vegas adopted its 2050 Master Plan in 2021.
Last updated: September 2021
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The 2050 Master Plan includes a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 28% below 2019 levels by 2025. ACEEE was unable to project if the city will achieve its near-term GHG emissions reduction goal because insufficient GHG emissions data were available for our analysis.
Las Vegas is included in regional greenhouse gas inventories conducted for the entirety of Clark County.
Energy Reduction Goal
The 2050 Master Plan includes a goal to reduce regional energy consumption 80% below 2019 levels by 2050.
Renewable Energy Goal
The 2050 Master Plan includes a goal to use renewable energy to power 50% of community electricity by 2030 and 100% by 2050.
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 has not 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
The city passed the Urban Forestry Initiative in 2008 (R-26-2008) to improve air quality, reduce the urban heat island effect, and increase quality of life in terms of shade, beauty, and privacy for Las Vegas residents. The initiative includes an urban heat island mitigation goal to increase urban tree canopy coverage to 20% by 2035.
Additional urban heat island goals are expected to be included in the city's 2050 Master Plan.
UHI Policies and Programs
The city requires all non-residential developments greater than one acre in size to use low impact development techniques in site design. The city has not adopted a private tree protection ordinance or policies that require or incentivize conservation of private land.
Last updated: September 2021
Buildings Policies
Score: 10.5 out of 30 points
Buildings Summary List All
The City of Las Vegas has adopted the 2018 International Codes. The city does not have a mandatory benchmarking policy for commercial, multifamily, or single-family buildings. Las Vegas offers financing options for energy efficiency improvements and solar installations.
Last updated: July 2021
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of Nevada is a home rule state and allows local governments to adopt building energy codes for their own jurisdiction. Effective July 2015, the State of Nevada adopted the 2012 IECC with state specific amendments for residential buildings and ASHRAE 90.1-2010 for commercial buildings.
Building professionals from Clark County participate the Southern Nevada Building Officials organization that promotes regional adoption of recommended building codes. Since local jurisdictions are still responsible for adopting energy codes, the city adopted the 2018 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC).
Commercial
Las Vegas adopted the 2018 International Building Code and 2018 IECC. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 45.3.
Residential
Las Vegas adopted the 2018 International Residential Code and 2018 IECC. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 52.8.
Solar-readiness policies
The city has not passed a policy mandating new developments be solar-ready. Las Vegas allows for solar energy use in all zones.
EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies
The city has not passed a policy mandating new developments be EV-ready.
Low-energy use requirements
The Green Building Resolution requires new municipal buildings to achieve LEED Silver.
Last updated: July 2021
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
Las Vegas incorporates mandatory energy compliance verification into the plan review and third-party review and inspections. The city provides upfront support in the form of one-on-one assistance.
Last updated: July 2021
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Incentives
Las Vegas offers property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing for commercial energy efficiency improvements and solar installations.
Last Update: August 2021
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce DevelopmentList All
The city Department of Economic and Urban Development programs seek to train people in clean energy jobs.
Last updated: September 2020
Transportation
Score: 11 out of 30 points
Transportation Summary List All
The transportation authority and MPO serving the City of Las Vegas is the Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada (RTC). RTC provides the public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area, including bus service. The Las Vegas Monorail Company provides monorail service parallel to The Strip. The Department of Public Works is the city agency charged with managing the city’s transportation network.
Last updated: January 2017
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
Las Vegas has a Mobility Master Plan in place that makes recommendations for vehicular, transit, bicycle, and pedestrian improvements over a 20 year time frame. The plan includes over 180 multimodal transportation improvements projects. Las Vegas does not have a codified VMT or greenhouse gas reduction target in place.
As a part of the City's 2050 Master Plan, it is anticipated that a new transportation chapter will be included (incorporating previous Mobility Master Plan information) that tentatively includes a 30% VMT reduction target and will be adopted in 2020. It is tentatively listed to reduce VMT and transportation-based community greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050, using a 2020 baseline.
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. As a part of the City's 2050 Master Plan, it is anticipated that a new transportation chapter will be included (incorporating previous Mobility Master Plan information) that tentatively includes a 33% VMT reduction target and will be adopted in 2020. It is tentatively listed to reduce VMT and transportation-based community greenhouse gas emissions 80% by 2050, using a 2020 baseline.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
The city annually tracks regional VMT. A new baseline will be incorporated as a part of the City's 2050 master plan.
Last Updated: November 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
The City has a TOD requirement applying to the entire city in addition to the form-based zoning code for Downtown Las Vegas.
Residential Parking Policies
Las Vegas has not removed minimum parking requirements. Downtown has reduced parking.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
The City offers an expedited plan check and permitting program in general for applicants. In addition, under the newly adopted Form-Based zoning code, the City of Las Vegas does encourage compact, mixed-use development, including a variety of housing types. As a part of the code’s adoption, and as specified in the Vision 2045 Downtown Las Vegas Master Plan, a new incentive program is under development (including density bonuses for affordable housing and open space, expedited reviews, and bonuses for buildable height and area). Expanded incentives are being considered as policy recommendations as a part of the City's 2050 Master Plan.
Last Updated: November 2021
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
As a part of the City's 2050 Master Plan, it is anticipated that a new transportation chapter will be included (incorporating previous Mobility Master Plan information) that tentatively includes a mode shift target. It is tentatively listed at Drive Alone (SOV+HOV) is 70%, for Transit is 15%, Walking is 5%, Biking is 10% by 2050. More information will be posted at www.masterplan.vegas.
Other mode split targets are included in the Vision 2045 Downtown Master Plan by 2045: 45% car, 25% transit, 20% walking, 10% biking.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
As part of the Downtown Master Plan, Las Vegas has a target to achieve the following mode split by 2045: 45% car, 25% transit, 20% walking, 10% biking mobility usage. The City will be providing biennial updates on most 2050 master plan goals and targets as part of the plan's implementation and evaluation component.
Complete Streets
The City's 2050 Master Plan contains an adopted Complete Streets policy.
Last Updated: November 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transportation entities that serve the City of Las Vegas have received $139,668,937.60 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $69.53 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 Las Vegas' Transit Connectivity Index value is 5.1, scoring 0.5 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: November 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
The City does not provide nor offer incentives for citizens to purchase hybrid, plug-in, or EV vehicles. The Nevada Division of Environmental Protection has funded energy efficiency grants for the replacement of diesel vehicles, including transit and school buses.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
NV Energy offers incentives for the installation of public or private EV charging stations. There are more than 2000 EV charging station locations available for use region wide.
EV Charging Locations
The City has 479 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 73.5 ports per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
Las Vegas does not have an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
Las Vegas does not have an EV transit bus goal.
Last Updated: November 2021
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Las Vegas does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency. As a part of the City's 2050 Master Plan, it is anticipated that a new transportation chapter will cover a freight transportation strategy (incorporating previous Mobility Master Plan information) that addresses freight and freight efficiency. A limiting factor is that the jurisdiction does not include major freight hubs, industrial land, nor airports - rail and truck heads and an intermodal terminal can be found in neighboring jurisdictions. More information will be posted at www.masterplan.vegas.
Last Updated: November 2021
Clean, Efficient Transportation for Low-Income CommunitiesList All
Affordable New TOD Housing Policy
Under the newly adopted Form-Based zoning code, the city of Las Vegas does encourage compact, mixed-use development, including a variety of housing types. As a part of the code’s adoption, and as specified in the Vision 2045 Downtown Las Vegas Master Plan, density bonuses for affordable housing and open space, expedited reviews, and bonuses for buildable height and area, are adopted. As a part of the City's 2050 Master Pan, TOD, mixed use development, and affordable housing is central to the land use strategy.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
Las Vegas does not currently provide rebates or incentives to low-income residents for efficient transportation options.
Last Updated: November 2021
Energy & Water Utilities
Score: 5 out of 15 points
Energy & Water Utilities Summary List All
NV Energy, an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric utility serving Las Vegas. Southwest Gas, an IOU, is Las Vegas’s primary natural gas utility. The State of Nevada has established requirements for energy efficiency programs provided by the state's investor-owned electric utilities, as well as integrated resource planning. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Nevada page of the State Database.
Las Vegas Valley Water District and Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) provide drinking water services to residents of Las Vegas. The City of Las Vegas Water Pollution Control Facilities is the municipal utility which provides wastewater treatment services and the Clark County Regional Flood Control District is responsible for stormwater management services.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, according to EIA, NV Energy achieved 169,573 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 0.76% of its electric retail sales. In 2019, according to EIA, NV Energy spent $22,079,000 on electric energy efficiency programs, which represents 0.79% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, Southwest Gas reported savings of 0.20 MMtherms from natural gas efficiency programs, representing 0.04% of its natural gas retail sales. In 2019, Southwest Gas spent $743,937 on energy efficiency, which equates to $1.02 per residential customer. These savings and spending figures cover Southwest Gas's entire service jurisdiction, not just the City of Las Vegas.
NV Energy offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and commercial/industry customers. Southwest Gas similarly offers natural gas efficiency programs to residential and business customers.
At this time, the City of Las Vegas does not have a formal partnership with NV Energy or Southwest Gas in the form of a jointly developed or administered energy saving strategy, plan, or agreement. Even so, Southwest Gas, NV Energy, and the Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) work with the Desert Research Institute (DRI) to help fund and promote their GreenPower Outreach programs. Through GreenPower Outreach, DRI offers Teacher Trainings and Workshops focused on STEM subjects including energy conservation and management. Additional resources are also offered to Nevada students in the form of Green Boxes, speakers, and field trips.
Last Updated: July 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
NV Energy offers a free qualified appliance replacement program to income-qualified customers. This program allows for replacement of old inefficient appliances such as refrigerators and electric clothes dryers wiht new efficient models. Savings, spending, and customers served for NV Energy's low-income programs was not available in 2019.
At this time, Southwest Gas does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at low-income customers.
The City of Las Vegas’s 2050 Master Plan was adopted in July 2021. The Plan includes directs the city to work with the utility on a study to determine the feasibility, and/or implement city-led low-income and/or multifamily energy conservation programs.
Multifamily Programs
At this time, NV Energy and Southwest Gas do not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at multifamily properties.
Last Updated: August 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Neither NV Energy nor Southwest Gas provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings.
NV Energy and Southwest Gas provides annual aggregate community wide energy usage information for planning and evaluation purposes. The city includes energy usage data for residential, commercial, industrial, and civic sectors in the 2050 Master Plan.
The City of Las Vegas 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
NV Energy does not currently have a carbon emissions reduction goal in place.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
The City of Las Vegas actively lobbies in favor of utility scale and distributed generation, greater Renewable Portfolio Standards (RPS), and net metering at the Nevada Public Utilities Commission and Nevada State Legislature. For utility scale and distributed energy and the expanded RPS, the City testified in support of these policies. Specifically, the City has voiced support for SB 283 on C-PACE, SB 448 an omnibus energy bill on transportation electrification and EV charging rebates and carbon reduction, SB 328 on energy storage and the RPS, among others.
The City invited the utility to participate in the development of the City's 2050 Master Plan. NV Energy affirmed, supported, and commented in favor of the goals, outcomes, and strategies listed within the plan.
Last Updated: July 2021
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals
Southwest Gas and NV Energy collaborate with the Southern Nevada Water District to offer energy and water conservation tips to local business and residential customers as well as provide separate electric efficiency, gas efficiency, and water efficiency programs. Water saving measures include tankless hot water and solar hot water rebates. Southern Nevada Water Authority (SNWA) also offers smart irrigation clock coupons.
SNWA established a conservation goal of 105 GPCD (gallons per capita per day) by 2035. In order to meet this goal, the SNWA and Las Vegas Valley Water District use a four-pronged approach of tiered pricing, drought and water use restrictions, incentives for purchasing equipment like pool covers and green landscaping, and education and outreach. In addition, as a part of the City's 2050 Master Plan, the City will align with current and future SNWA goals with respect to water conservation and long-term water resources planning. Southern Nevada has reduced its water demand from about 314 gallons per person per day to about 127 GPCD, a 36% decrease since 2002. As part of the 2050 Master Plan, Las Vegas has aligned the current and future water conservation goals and long-term water resource planning with SNWA.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
Las Vegas Valley Water District is pursing energy efficiency initiatives in accordance with the city’s Sustainable Energy Strategy, but a specific energy management strategy is not in place. The City's 2050 Master Plan sets a goal to reduce municipal energy consumption 2% annually. Upgrades are funded through the city’s Sewer Enterprise Fund and Internal Service Fund as part of annual capital projects funding.
The City of Las Vegas Water Pollution Control Facility digesters use methane capture and have 3.3 MW of solar power generated on site. In addition, power transmitted to the wastewater plant is received from the Colorado River Commission which receives power from Hoover Dam’s Hydropower Systems.
Last Updated: July 2021
Local Government Score:
6 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
The Sustainable Energy Strategy and 2013 Strategic Business Plan establish the City of Las Vegas’s climate and energy goals and initiatives.
Climate Mitigation Goal
Las Vegas has a goal to reduce local government greenhouse gas emissions 100% by 2050, using a 2010 baseline. 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
Las Vegas aims to reduce local government energy use 30% by 2050 using energy efficiency. The City has set a goal to reduce total energy consumption by 2% annually, covering the sectors of buildings and facilities, streetlighting, and wastewater treatment.
Renewable Energy Goal
Las Vegas municipal operations have been powered 100% by renewable energy sources since 2016.
Last updated: June 2021
Procurement and Construction Policies List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
Las Vegas does not currently have an efficiency or fleet procurement policy, but this is a recommendation as a part of the City’s 2050 Master Plan. The City’s fleet is composed of 12% efficient vehicles, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles.
Public Lighting
We could not confirm if Las Vegas as adopted a policy requiring efficient outdoor lighting, such as the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance. However, the city has adopted regional standards set forth by the Regional Transportation Commission, which mirror the industry American National Standards Institute/Illuminating Engineering Society of North American (ANSI/IESNA). Currently, 85% of city streetlights are LED. The remaining 15% will be replaced within the next 2 years.
Onsite and offsite renewable systems
Las Vegas has installed approximately 6.2 MW of solar systems on forty city facilities.
Inclusive procurement
We were unable to find information indicating that the city has inclusive procurement and contracting processes.
Last updated: June 2021
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
Las Vegas benchmarks all municipal buildings.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
In addition to the 2050 Master Plan's goals and policies (see Chapter 4 - Energy, Water, GHG Emissions, and Public Facilities), the city of Las Vegas adopted R-32-2017, a resolution adopting a strategy for net-zero energy, sustainability, and community resilience. A goal of the strategy, in addition to the LEED requirement is to ensure that 25% of existing occupied City buildings and facilities meet or be upgraded to a LEED or equivalent standard, pursuant to R-32-2017. Several new buildings have been built to LEED standards or are being replaced with a LEED rated building. All other upgrades are included in the annual Capital Improvement Planning process.
Last updated: June 2021