Memphis
City Scorecard Rank
55
Memphis, TN
49.50Scored out of 250Updated 05/2024
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 4.5 out of 45 points
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The Memphis Climate Action Plan includes a greenhouse gas reduction goal of 71% below 2016 levels by 2050, with an interim reduction goal of 51% below 2016 levels by 2035. 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.
The city and county have released one greenhouse gas inventory using 2016 data.
Energy Reduction Goal
The Climate Action Plan includes a goal to reduce commercial and residential electricity use by 10% or more, but the goal does not have a target date.
Renewable Energy Goal
The Climate Action Plan includes goals to increase carbon-free electricity generation to 75% by 2035 and 100% by 2050.
Last updated: August 2023
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: August 2023
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: August 2023
Adaptive Mitigation List All
Heat Island Mitigation 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.
Resilience Hubs
We were unable to determine if the city has supported the creation of resilience hubs that incorporate clean energy resources and are sited in disadvantaged communities.
Last updated: August 2023
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce DevelopmentList All
Workforce development for disadvantaged workers
We could not determine if city has partnered with a local education institution, labor union, or community-based organization to create, support, and/or incentivize the development of clean energy workforce development initiatives that target training and support services for potential or existing workers from disadvantaged communities to obtain and keep in-demand jobs.
Workforce development for the broader community
We could not determine if city has partnered with a local education institution, labor union, or community-based organization to create, support, and/or incentivize the development of clean energy workforce development initiatives that target training and support services for potential or existing workers from the broader community to obtain and keep in-demand jobs.
Outcomes tracking
We could not determine if the city has instituted a mechanism to measure the performance and/or success of equitable workforce development initiatives focused on the clean energy sector.
Last updated: August 2023
Buildings Policies
Score: 12 out of 70 points
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of Tennessee allows cities to adopt home rule charters by local referendum, as the City of Memphis did. Thus, the city adopts and enforces its own building energy codes. Memphis and Shelby County recently adopted the 2021 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with local amendments. To learn more about Tennessee’s building energy codes, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial properties must comply with the 2021 IECC. The city’s zEPI score for its commercial energy code is 47.25.
Residential
Residential properties must comply with the 2021 IECC. The city’s zEPI score for its residential energy code is 51.
Solar-readiness policies
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction be solar-ready.
EV-readiness policies
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction be EV-ready.
Electrification policies
We could not find information on whether the city has adopted any electrification policies.
Last Update: September 2023
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
We were unable to determine the amount of staff effort dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city verifies energy code compliance through plan reviews and site inspections. The city does not provide upfront support to developers and/or owners for energy code compliance.
Last Update: September 2023
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Incentives
Memphis became the first city in Tennessee to adopt a local C-PACER program in 2022, which enables access to low-interest and long-term financing for commercial energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resiliency improvements.
MLGW, the city’s municipal utility, administers the Share the Pennies program to provide low-income homeowners with grants to make energy efficiency improvements.
MLGW offers businesses and organizations seeking LEED certification additional incentive funds.
The Downtown Memphis Commission program offers the option of longer tax abatement periods for projects that are LEED-certified, attain Net Zero Energy Building certification, or attain MLGW’s EcoBUILD certification. The Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County (EDGE) also offers longer tax abatement periods for LEED, Green Globes, or Energy Star certification.
Last Update: September 2023
Transportation
Score: 13.5 out of 70 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
The Memphis Climate Action Plan was released in 2020 and includes sustainable transportation strategies. It also includes strategies specifically benefiting disadvantaged communities.
VMT/GHG Target and Stringency
According to the Memphis Climate Action Plan, the city has a goal of reducing GHG emissions from transportation 51% by 2035 and 71% by 2050 from 2016 levels.
The city’s target requires a 1.99% average per-capita annual decrease from its target baseline. Therefore, Memphis earned 1 point for the stringency of its target.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
The City of Memphis did not provide GHG data collected since the adoption of its goal; therefore, we cannot assess progress toward the goal.
Last Updated: September 2023
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
In 2023, Memphis modified its zoning code to create a transit-oriented development overlay district.
Parking Requirements
Memphis has eliminated parking minimums in certain districts.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
The City of Memphis does not have location-efficient development incentives or disclosure policies.
Affordable Housing around Transit
The City of Memphis does not require, preserve, or incentivize the development of affordable housing near transit.
Last Updated: January 2024
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
According to the Memphis Climate Action Plan, adopted in 2020, the City has a goal of 10% of all trips being made by biking or walking by 2030, and 40% by 2050.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
The City of Memphis did not provide data collected on mode share for all trips since the adoption of its goal; therefore, we cannot assess progress toward the goal.
Subsidized Access to Efficient Transportation
We were unable to find information on programs or policies subsidizing access to efficient transportation for disadvantaged groups.
Last Updated: September 2023
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transit entities that serve the City of Memphis have received $33,187,544.00 on average annually between 2017 and 2021 from local sources. That equates to roughly $48.03 per capita between 2017 and 2021 within the service area.
Access to Transit Services
The AllTransit Performance Score measures a given community's transit access and performance. The score considers connections to other routes, access to jobs, service frequency, and the percent of commuters who ride transit to work. The City of Memphis’s AllTransit Performance Score is 4.1, scoring 0 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: September 2023
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
Neither the City of Memphis nor the local utility provide incentives for purchasing efficient vehicles.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
Neither the City of Memphis nor the local utility provide incentives for the installation of EV charging stations.
EV Charging Infrastructure Requirements
The City of Memphis does not require new developments to install EV charging stations.
EV Charging Ports
The City of Memphis has 10.1 vehicle charging ports per 100,000 people available for public use.
Electric School Bus Goal
Neither the City of Memphis nor the local school district have set an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) set a goal of transitioning 100% of its bus fleet to zero emissions by 2050.
Last Updated: January 2024
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Sustainable Freight Plans
The City of Memphis does not have a sustainable freight plan or freight mobility plan in place, nor is it pursuing any freight efficiency strategies.
Open Date Portals
The City of Memphis does not have an open data portal with real-time freight data.
Last Updated: September 2023
Community Energy Infrastructure
Score: 13.5 out of 40 points
Community Energy Infrastructure Summary List All
Memphis Light, Gas, and Water (MLGW) is the municipal utility that provides electricity, natural gas, and drinking water to the City of Memphis. The Tennessee Regulatory Authority sets the rates and services standards of the investor-owned natural gas, electric, and water utilities. The municipal energy utilities implement Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)-funded energy efficiency programs, which are outlined in the TVA Integrated Resource Plan (IRP). To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Tennessee page of the State Database.
The Department of Public Works is the municipal utility that provides wastewater treatment and stormwater management services for Memphis.
Last Updated: September 2023
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2021, according to TVA, MLGW achieved 2,012 MWh in net incremental savings. In 2021, MLGW had no savings from natural gas efficiency programs. We could not confirm MLGW’s spending for 2021.
MLGW offers natural gas and electric efficiency tools and technical assistance to residential and commercial/industrial customers.
The city and county have partnered with MLGW and TVA to develop the Mayor’s Energy Challenge, which established a $10 million low-interest loan fund for commercial energy efficiency projects, promoted the My Account tool through MLGW, and prompted many assessment programs, calculators, and other tools to bring energy efficiency to Memphis.
Last Updated: September 2023
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
MLGW implementation of Share the Pennies program to provide home weatherization grants for low-income qualified residential customers. This program provides the necessary capital and labor to make repairs to improve the energy efficiency of customers’ homes. Repairs include AC condenser replacement, attic access hatches, attic insulation, duct replacement, furnace replacement, leaks (gas and water), water heater replacement, window and door replacement, and health and safety improvements. Share the Pennies is funded by donations from rounding utility bills and sponsored by the Metropolitan Inter-Faith Association and MLG The program works with the local nonprofit, Metropolitan Inter-faith Association (MIFA), on implementation, and also partners with other local nonprofit groups on program design and uptakes, such as the Sierra Club, Southern Alliance for Clean Energy (SACE), and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). In addition, MLGW implements Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA)-funded low-income energy efficiency programs, which are outlined in the TVA Integrated Resource Plan (IRP).
In 2021, according to MLGW, they served 180 low-income households.
Multifamily Programs
MLGW offers a multifamily version of MLGW’s long-standing, single-family program, EcoBUILD. The program uses a set of prescriptive measures and inspections, EcoBUILD helps building owners construct and maintain energy-efficient properties.
In 2021 MLGW did not offer multifamily offerings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Last Updated: September 2023
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Memphis Light, Gas & Water does not provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings.
The City of Memphis provides community-wide energy usage data for communing planning and evaluation purposes by service territory through MLGW’s annual reports.
The City of Memphis 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: September 2023
Decarbonization and Climate Change Mitigation Efforts of Cities and Energy UtilitiesList All
Utility Climate Mitigation Goal
In 2019, the Tennessee Valley Authority, the electric power provider of MLGW, committed to achieving reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 70% reduction by 2030 and by 80% by 2035 from 2005 levels. To achieve this goal, TVA will need to reduce emissions by 3.6% annually from 2019 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
In 2021, TVA emitted 5.7 metric tons of CO2 per capita.
Clean Distributed Energy Resources
We could not verify if the city has adopted a formal policy, rule, or agreement that supports the creation of clean distributed energy systems.
Municipal Renewable Energy Procurement
We were unable to find information regarding onsite or offsite municipal renewable energy systems in Memphis.
City Renewable Energy Incentive and Financing Programs
Memphis became the first city in Tennessee to adopt a local C-PACER program in 2022, which enables access to low-interest and long-term financing for commercial energy efficiency, renewable energy, and resiliency improvements.
MLGW offers businesses and organizations seeking LEED certification additional incentive funds.
The Downtown Memphis Commission program offers the option of longer tax abatement periods for projects that are LEED-certified, attain Net Zero Energy Building certification, or attain MLGW’s EcoBUILD certification. The Economic Development Growth Engine for Memphis and Shelby County (EDGE) also offers longer tax abatement periods for LEED, Green Globes, or Energy Star certification.
Last Updated: September 2023
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals
While the MLGW programs focus on energy efficiency, water efficiency is included in My Account analytics and self-audits, low-income repairs, and customer communications to help preserve and protect the aquifer system. The Energy Education webpage includes information on both energy and water efficiency.
The City of Memphis does not have a water efficiency goal.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
The city does not have a comprehensive energy management strategy in place for its water and wastewater utilities.
Both of the city’s wastewater treatment facilities supply biogas to the water utility for use on-site.
Last Updated: September 2023
Local Government Score:
6 out of 25 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
Climate Change Mitigation Goal
The city of Memphis set a goal to reduce local government building GHG emissions 55% by 2035 and fleet emissions 45% by 2035, using a 2016 baseline.
Energy Reduction Goal
We could not find any information regarding a local energy reduction goal for Memphis.
Renewable Energy Goal
We could not find any information regarding a municipal renewable energy goal for Memphis.
Last updated: November 2023
Procurement and Construction Policies List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
Memphis is considering policies and strategies for transitioning to a more efficient, cleaner fleet with an increased number of electric and alternative fuel vehicles. The City’s fleet is composed of 3% efficient vehicles, including hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric vehicles.
Public Lighting
Memphis has not yet adopted a policy requiring efficient outdoor lighting, such as the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance. Streetlights are operated by the local electricity utility, MLGW, and are scheduled to operate only during the hours when they are needed. The Memphis LED Upgrade Program is underway with publicly available data tracking the project’s progress. 42% of the streetlights in Memphis have been converted to LEDs as of August, 2023.
Inclusive procurement
The City of Memphis has an Equal Business Opportunity Program, codified by ordinance in November 2017. Shelby County has a Minority and Women Business Enterprise (MWBE) program, which was codified into an ordinance at the end of June 2023. The policies set forward in that program apply to all County contracts and purchasing, including energy efficiency and transportation projects. Shelby County completed their Disparity Study in 2022. The Shelby County Disparity Study helped lead to some revisions of the MWBE program to make it more robust. As the city and county work in close partnership, much of the disparity study and recommendations impact the city as well.
Last updated: February 2024
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
The Memphis-Shelby County Office of Sustainability currently tracks energy use for all Shelby County buildings and is working to incorporate City of Memphis buildings into their energy management software.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
We were unable to find information regarding a comprehensive retrofit strategy in Memphis.
Municipal Employee Transportation Benefits
City of Memphis, Shelby County Government, and State of Tennessee employees are able to ride MATA for free.
Last update: February 2024