Louisville
City Scorecard Rank
59
Louisville, KY
23.00Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 3.5 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Summary List All
The City of Louisville developed the Sustain Louisville plan to guide the city’s sustainability initiatives.
Last updated: September 2021
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
Louisville adopted a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 2016 levels by 2050. ACEEE was unable to project if the city will achieve its near-term community-wide GHG emissions reduction goal because insufficient GHG emissions data were available for our analysis.
Energy Reduction Goal
The Sustain Louisville plan includes a goal to reduce per capita energy use 25% below 2012 levels by 2025.
Renewable Energy Goal
The Louisville Metro Council passed a resolution in 2020 calling for 100% clean energy community-wide by 2040.
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 Louisville Urban Tree Canopy Assessment adopted an urban heat island mitigation goal to reach 45% urban tree canopy cover across the city.
UHI Policies and Programs
The city’s Land Development Code allows for conservation subdivisions that encourage the permanent protection of land alongside dense residential development patterns.
Louisville Metro Government offers a Cool Roof Rebate Program for residential and commercial properties. The city also offers dollar-for-dollar incentives for projects incorporating green infrastructure in development.
Last updated: September 2021
Buildings Policies
Score: 6 out of 30 points
Buildings Summary List All
The City of Louisville enforces the state’s energy codes. The city administers a voluntary benchmarking program. Louisville offers two incentives for energy efficiency projects.
Last updated: June 2021
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of Kentucky requires its local jurisdictions to follow the 2018 Kentucky Building Code (KBC) and 2018 Kentucky Residential Code (KRC). The 2018 KBC references the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) for commercial buildings and the 2009 IECC for residential buildings. Louisville Metro Government advocates for the adoption of the latest codes including the International Energy Conservation Codes (IECC) for commercial and residential structures. To learn more about the required building codes for the State of Kentucky, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial properties must comply with the 2018 KBC. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 58.6.
Residential
Residential properties must comply with the 2018 KRC. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 68.4.
Solar-readiness policies
The city has no authority to pass an ordinance mandating that new construction be solar-ready.
EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies
The city has no authority to pass an ordinance mandating that new construction be EV-ready.
Last updated: June 2021
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
Louisville does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to building energy code compliance. The city verifies energy code compliance through plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing as required by the energy code. The city provides upfront support to building developers when requested, as well as through annual classes on the energy code.
Last updated: June 2021
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Incentives
Louisville offers incentives through the Energy Project Assessment District. The city began offering financing for energy efficiency projects in commercial buildings over a twenty year term. The program is similar to PACE financing programs. Commercial building owners can find energy efficiency incentives through the Louisville Energy Alliance.
Voluntary programs
The Louisville Energy Alliance runs the Kilowatt Crackdown, a voluntary program that encourages building owners to take energy-saving actions.
Last updated: June 2021
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce DevelopmentList All
The city does not have programs committed to developing a dedicated energy efficiency and/or renewable energy workforce.
Last updated: June 2021
Transportation
Score: 9 out of 30 points
Transportation Summary List All
The transportation authority serving the City of Louisville is the Transit Authority of River City. The Transit Authority provides the public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area, including bus and trolley service. The Kentuckiana Regional Planning and Development Authority is the COG and the Louisville Area MPO is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Their area of jurisdiction encompasses Louisville, and many surrounding counties, cities, and towns in Kentucky and Indiana. 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
Move Louisville is the city’s 20-year multi-modal plan that aims to fix and maintain the existing infrastructure in the city and reduce the number of miles that Louisvillians drive by providing and improving mobility options.
VMT/GHG Target and Stringency
Move Louisville contains a goal to reduce VMT 500,000 miles daily by 2040. In addition, Sustain Louisville set a goal to decrease transportation-related GHG emissions 20% by 2020 from 2009 levels. This goal requires a 1.8% reduction per year.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
The City does track its progress toward its VMT and GHG targets and is improving from its established baseline.
Last Updated: November 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
Louisville Metro uses Planned Development District (PDD) zoning to encourage density in specific areas (e.g. SoBro, Norton Commons, Irish Hill neighborhoods).
Residential Parking Policies
Louisville was one of the first cities in the country to have a zero minimum parking requirement within the Central Business District. In addition, Louisville’s parking regulations were updated in 2020 with significantly reduced parking minimums and maximums throughout the rest of the city. As Louisville’s Land Development Code continues to be reformed, more analysis is being done to remove parking minimums where feasible.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
The City has a “Mixed Residential Development Incentive” that allows multi-family dwellings in a single-family zoning district with a density bonus. The city's PDD zoning encourages density by minimizing review times for developments.
Last Updated: November 2021
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
Louisville Metro has a goal to increase bicycle ridership 100% from 2012 levels and increase public transit ridership 25%.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
No measurable progress has been achieved.
Complete Streets
Louisville has a complete streets policy in place.
Last Updated: November 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transportation entities that service the City of Louisville have received $67,437,120.40 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $56.09 per capita between 2015 and 2019 within the Transit 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 Louisville’s Transit Connectivity Index value is 6.3, scoring 0.5 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: November 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
At this time, Louisville 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 has 60 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 9.7 ports per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
Louisville does not have an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
Louisville does not have an EV transit bus goal.
Last Updated: November 2021
Freight System EfficiencyList All
The City of Louisville is part of a broader freight to increase freight efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Clean, Efficient Transportation for Low-Income CommunitiesList All
Affordable New TOD Housing Policy
Louisville’s Creating Affordable Residences for Economic Success (Louisville CARES) revolving loan program gives points for projects that are located within ¼ to ½ mile of a TARC stop. Projects have to meet a minimum score of 60 points to be reviewed by the CARES loan committee. If they’re approved, they will get a low interest rate loan to create new affordable multifamily units.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
Louisville does not currently provide rebates or incentives to low-income residents for efficient transportation options.
Last Updated: November 2021
Energy & Water Utilities
Score: 4 out of 15 points
Energy & Water Utilities Summary List All
Louisville Gas & Electric (LG&E), an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric and natural gas utility serving the City of Louisville. The State of Kentucky has not yet implemented an 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 Kentucky page of the State Database.
The Louisville Water Company supplies drinking water to residents of Louisville and the Metropolitan Sewer District is the regional wastewater utility that serves the city.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, according to EIA, LG&E achieved 48,039 MWh in net incremental electric savings, representing 0.41% of electric retail sales. In 2019, LG&E spent $9,561,000 on electric energy efficiency programs, which represents 0.85% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, LG&E either did not spend or did not report spending or savings on natural gas efficiency programs.
Louisville Gas & Electric offers natural gas and electric efficiency tools and technical assistance to residential and commercial/industrial customers.
At this time, the City of Louisville does not have a formal partnership with LG&E in the form of a jointly developed or administered energy saving strategy, plan, or agreement. However, representatives from the city of Louisville have been appointed to LG&E’s DSM Advisory Group.
Last Updated: July 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
LG&E offers the Residential Low-Income Weatherization Program (WeCare) to qualified low-income residential customers, providing energy efficiency measures. The program provides education, energy audits, blower door tests, and installation of weatherization and energy conservation measures designed to reduce energy consumption. Measures include air and duct sealing, attic and wall insulation, energy-efficient water devices, heating and cooling tune-ups, LED lightbulbs, programmable thermostats, and refrigerator and window air conditioner replacements. The program also includes health and safety measures and water efficiency measures. Qualified customers receive energy conservation measures costing up to $2,100 based upon the customer’s most recent 12-month energy usage and the results of an energy audit. If customers qualify for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, then they are automatically qualified for the WeCare program. LG&E works with agencies within the community to identify customers to identify high energy users and help direct them towards the program and other resources.
We were unable to confirm LG&E low-income program savings and customers served in 2019.
Multifamily Programs
LG&E does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at multifamily properties.
Last Updated: July 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Louisville Gas & Electric does not provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings. Louisville has access to community energy use data that they use internally, but this data is not available to the public.
The City of Louisville 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 2018, PPL Corp., the parent company of LG&E, set a goal of reducing carbon emissions by 80% from 2010 levels by 2050, with an interim goal of 70% by 2040. To achieve the 2040 goal, PPL Corp. will need to reduce emissions by 2.1% annually from 2019 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
In 2020, Louisville Metro Council adopted a resolution to support 100% clean renewable energy goals for the Metro Government operations by 2030, and a 100% clean energy goal for the community by 2040. The Louisville Metro Office of Advanced Planning and Sustainability is currently in discussions with LG&E on options to finance the development of a solar field through their Solar Share Program.
LG&E participated on the Strategy Team to lead the development of Prepare Louisville, the city’s climate adaptation plan, and also serves in an advisory role in the development of Louisville’s GHG Emissions Reduction Plan. Louisville Metro’s Office of Advanced Planning & Sustainability continues to meet regularly with leaders within LG&E to continue to find ways to partner on projects or new programs.
Last Updated: July 2021
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals
The Louisville Water Company has not established any water efficiency programs, policies, or goals. At this point, the City of Louisville has not established a goal or programs for energy efficiency through the city’s water service operation system.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
The Louisville Water Company and the Louisville Metropolitan Sewer District are both participating in the Effective Utility Management program that was developed by the Water Research Foundation, Water Environment Federation, EPA, and others to set metrics for utilities to become more efficient and sustainable operationally. MSD is following an EUM construct to reduce energy usage and is performing an energy audit/study for application at treatment and pumping facilities. Louisville Water Company (LWC) has an overall energy management strategy to minimize energy costs in its production department. This includes real-time demand management and longer-term engineering solutions to evaluate and modify pumps/motors to respond to changing system conditions. LWC also has incorporated energy saving devices (motion sensors/LED lighting in our offices) in its facilities management area.
Methane is captured and used as a supplemental fuel in the Rotary Drum Drying process at the wastewater plants.
Last Updated: July 2021
Local Government Score:
0.5 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
The City of Louisville released the Sustain Louisville plan to guide municipal and community sustainability action.
Climate Mitigation Goal
The city does not have a climate mitigation or greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal for municipal operations.
Energy Reduction Goal
Louisville does not currently have an active energy reduction goal for municipal operations. The City's last goal expired in 2020, and Louisville is planning to set an updated goal.
Renewable Energy Goal
Louisville Metro has a short-term goal to increase the use of renewable energy in city-owned buildings 50% by 2025. Louisville Metro also adopted a 100% Clean Energy Resolution in 2020. Two of the goals included in that resolution is to supply Louisville Metro with 100% clean, renewable electricity by 2030, and to power Louisville Metro operations with 100% clean energy by 2035.
Last updated: June 2021
Procurement and Construction Policies List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
Louisville does not have a procurement policy that includes a requirement for the purchase of EVs, but tries to replace all of its vehicles with more fuel efficient ones, when possible. We were unable to determine the composition of Louisville’s municipal fleet.
Public Lighting
We did not find information regarding the adoption of a policy requiring efficient outdoor lighting, such as the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance. Louisville is currently working with the local energy utility, LG&E, to develop a strategy for LED conversion.
Onsite and offsite renewable systems
Louisville Metro has installed solar on seven municipal buildings.
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
Louisville uses EnergyCAP to evaluate building energy use and to identify and prioritize opportunities to increase energy efficiency in its buildings. Louisville is in the progress of getting all facilities benchmarked in EnergyCAP software. The City anticipates getting the majority of our facilities processed and benchmarked into EnergyCAP by mid-2021. Energy use is analyzed on an ongoing basis by the Energy Manager.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategies
In addition to Louisville Metro's ongoing Energy Savings Performance Contract with Johnson Controls, the first Energy Manager was hired in February of 2021, and is using BAS to implement an initial wave of facility setbacks by scheduling HVAC systems and setting appropriate unoccupied setpoints. The Energy Manager is using a combination of EnergyCAP data and reporting features from the local utility to assess overall energy usage and target facilities of higher impact and potential for improvement. The Energy Manager will also assess opportunities for improved controls sequencing, ensuring that chillers and boilers are appropriately locked out when possible, and implementing demand-based temperature and static pressure resets in high-performance systems, as well as resets on heating water temperatures and chiller setpoints where possible. The Energy Manager will also be exploring high-impact opportunities for upgrades to LED lighting with reliable occupancy sensor and daylight harvesting technology.
Last updated: June 2021