Little Rock
City Scorecard Rank
94
Little Rock, AR
6.00Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 0.5 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. However, the city allows mixed-use/clustered residential development in some zones.
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: 0.5 out of 30 points
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of Arkansas is a home-ruled state and allows local jurisdictions to adopt more stringent codes. Arkansas adopted the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code for commercial buildings and the 2009 IECC with amendments for residential buildings. The City of Little Rock enforces the state code. To learn more about Arkansas’s building energy codes, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial buildings must comply with the state energy code. The code uses a commercial zEPI score of 66.5.
Residential
Residential buildings must comply with the state energy code. The code uses a residential zEPI score of 68.7.
Solar-readiness policies
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction to be solar-ready.
EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction be EV-ready.
Last updated: July 2021
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
Little Rock requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify 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
We could not find information on whether the city incentivizes or requires energy-saving actions in existing buildings.
Last updated: July 2021
Transportation
Score: 2.5 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 Little Rock does not yet have a codified VMT reduction target.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
The City of Little Rock is not yet tracking community GHG or VMT levels
Last Updated: November 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning
Little Rock's Cedar/Pine Street Overlay District is meant to encourage mixed-use development, pedestrian connectivity, and walkability.
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: November 2021
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Target
No data or city is not pursuing.
Progress Toward Mode Shift Target
No progress has been achieved, as there are no targets in place.
Complete Streets
The city of Little Rock does have a complete streets ordinance.
Last Updated: November 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
We could not determine the transit funding per capita for Little Rock.
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 Little Rock's Transit Connectivity Index value is 3.3, scoring 0 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: November 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
Entergy offers its customers a variety of incentives on a select array of EVs.
Incentives for EV Charging Stations
Entergy offers its customers incentives for the purchase of a level 2 EVSE.
EV Infrastructure
The City has 28 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 14.2 ports per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
Little Rock does not have an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
Little Rock does not have an EV transit bus goal.
Last Updated: November 2021
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Little Rock 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
Little Rock 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 Little Rock 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
Community Energy Infrastructure
Score: 2.5 out of 15 points
Community Energy Infrastructure Summary List All
Entergy Arkansas, an investor-owned utility (IOU) and a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, is the primary electric utility for the City of Little Rock. The primary natural gas supplier for Little Rock is CenterPoint Energy Arkansas, an IOU. The Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) requires electric and gas utilities to propose and administer energy efficiency programs and has adopted an energy efficiency resource standard for both electricity and natural gas. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Arkansas page of the State Database.
Central Arkansas Water provides the City of Little Rock with drinking water services, while the Little Rock Water Reclamation Authority provides wastewater treatment and stormwater management.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, according to EIA, Entergy Arkansas achieved 205,147 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 0.94% of its retail sales across the utility’s entire service jurisdiction, not only Little Rock. In 2019, Entergy Arkansas spent $48,729,000 on energy efficiency programs, which represents 2.62% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, CenterPoint Energy Arkansas reported 3.83 MMtherms of net natural gas savings at the meter, which represents 1.19% of its retail sales across the utility’s service territory. In 2019, CenterPoint spent $8,972,330 on energy efficiency, which equates to $24.88 per residential customer. These savings and spending figures cover the entire service jurisdiction of both utilities, not just the City of Little Rock.
Entergy Arkansas offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential, commercial/industrial, and business customers.
At this time, the City of Little Rock does not have a formal partnership with Entergy Arkansas or CenterPoint Energy Arkansas in the form of a jointly-developed or administered energy saving strategy, plan, or agreement.
Last Updated: July 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
At this time, Entergy Arkansas and CenterPoint Energy (AR) does not offer an energy efficiency program targeted at low-income customers.
Multifamily Programs
Entergy Arkansas offers a multifamily program, which offers installation of cost-effective efficiency measures to duplex, triplex, and large units. Through this program, eligible customers may receive direct installation of cost-effective efficiency measures in tenants’ units, as well as common areas. Some services include direct installation of LED bulbs, high-efficiency showerheads, high-efficiency kitchen, and air conditions tune-ups.
In 2019, Entergy Arkansas achieved 4,285 MWh in energy savings, while spending $1,033,810 on its multifamily program and serving 1,369 housing units in 15 multifamily properties.
At this time, CenterPoint Energy (AR) does not offer an energy efficiency program targeted at multifamily properties.
Last Updated: July 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Neither Entergy Arkansas nor CenterPoint Energy (AR) provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings. The City of Little Rock does not provide community-wide energy usage information at the aggregate level for community planning and evaluation purposes. The City of Little Rock 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 Cities and Energy UtilitiesList All
Utility Climate Mitigation Goal
In 2019, Entergy committed to reducing its carbon intensity by 50% by 2030 from 2000 levels. To achieve this goal, Entergy will need to reduce emissions by 4.3% annually from 2018 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
At this time, we cannot confirm whether or not the city of Little Rock 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, neither the City of Little Rock nor its water or wastewater utilities have established a water savings target or goal. The water utility does offer water-saving tips online.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
Neither utility has 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 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
Climate Mitigation Goal
Little Rock 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
We were unable to find information on Little Rock’s fleet procurement policies or fuel efficiency requirements. 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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock.
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 Little Rock’s benchmarking practices.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
We were unable to find information regarding a comprehensive retrofit strategy in Little Rock.
Last updated: June 2021