State and Local Policy Database

Local Government Summary

Energy use can account for as much as 10 percent of a local government’s annual operating budget, and that proportion may increase as energy prices rise. City governments have great opportunities to lead by example, as they advance energy-efficient technologies and practices by adopting policies and programs to save energy in public sector buildings and fleets. Efficiency initiatives focused on city operations are often a stepping stone leading to efforts to improve efficiency throughout the community.

Arlington’s Community Energy Plan articulates the county’s energy-related goals for its internal government operations.  The Arlington Initiative to Rethink Energy oversees implementation of the government operations goal and facilitates interdepartmental coordination.

Last updated: May 2017

Boulder’s Climate Action Plan articulates the city’s energy-related goal for its internal government operations.  The Facilities and Asset Management Division oversees implementation of the government operations goal and facilitates interdepartmental coordination.

Last updated: October 2015

Burlington’s Climate Action Plan, updated in 2013, describes the city’s energy-related goals for its internal government operations.  According to the plan, their primary focus is reducing municipal vehicle miles traveled and increasing energy efficiency in municipal buildings.

Last updated: October 2015

Carrboro does not have an overarching plan or strategy for improving energy efficiency in the town’s internal government operations, but Resolution 78/2009-10 describes the town’s energy vision.  The Planning Department is responsible for overseeing the town’s energy-related initiatives.

Last updated: April 2014

The 2012 Emissions Report Update articulates Charlottesville’s energy-related goal for its internal government operations.  The Facilities and Maintenance Division of the Department of Public Works oversees implementation of the government operations goal and facilitates interdepartmental coordination.

Last updated: October 2015

The Sustainable Dubuque Brochure and Sustainable Progress Report 2012 describe Dubuque’s community-wide greenhouse gas emissions goal, which guides their energy-related efforts for their internal government operations as well.  Their primary focus is increasing the operational efficiencies of the municipal vehicle fleet and installing methane re-capture capability at a wastewater treatment facility.

Last updated: October 2013

Lawrence’s Climate Protection Plan details the city’s energy-related goals for both its internal government operations and the community.  Their primary focus is reducing municipal energy use through benchmarking and incentivizing behavioral changes among municipal employees in regards to their energy use.

Last updated: October 2015

Park City’s Municipal Carbon Footprint describes the city’s energy-related goals for its internal government operations.  Their primary focus is reducing greenhouse gas emissions originating from their municipal vehicle fleet and reducing energy use in municipal buildings through benchmarking.  The Environmental Sustainability Team is largely responsible for coordinating city departmental efforts toward the government operations goal.  

Last updated: October 2015