Mesa
City Scorecard Rank
69
Mesa, AZ
18.50Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 0.5 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Summary List All
We could not find information on whether the City of Mesa has adopted a sustainability or climate action plan.
Last updated: September 2021
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
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
We could not verify if the city has adopted a quantifiable urban heat island mitigation goal.
UHI Policies and Programs
Mesa allows for the transfer of development rights in certain zones.
Last updated: September 2021
Buildings Policies
Score: 6 out of 30 points
Buildings Summary List All
The City of Mesa has the authority to adopt energy codes at the municipal level. We could not find information on city-mandated benchmarking policies, incentives, or above-code energy action requirements.
Last updated: July 2021
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of Arizona is a home rule state which allows local jurisdictions to set their own building energy codes. Most jurisdictions have adopted the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC), but Mesa adopted the 2018 IECC with amendments. To learn more about the requirements for building energy codes for the State of Arizona, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial properties must comply with the 2018 IECC with local amendments. The city’s zEPI score for its commercial energy code is 48.6.
Residential
Residential properties must comply with the 2018 IECC with local amendments. The city’s zEPI score for its residential energy code is 59.6.
Solar-readiness policies
Mesa has a voluntary solar-readiness policy.
EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies
The city has a voluntary EV-readiness policy.
Low-energy use requirements
We could not find information on whether the city sets low-energy use requirements for municipal or certain private buildings.
Last updated: July 2021
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code nor on the city’s code information regarding upfront support for code compliance. The city verifies compliance through plan reviews, site visits, and performance testing as required by the IECC.
Last updated: July 2021
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Incentives
Mesa's Energy Resources Department offers a solar program for City of Mesa electric customers for qualified residents and commercial property owners in Mesa’s electric service area
Last updated: July 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
Transportation
Score: 5 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
The City of Mesa has a 2040 Transportation Plan, released in 2013, that contains several strategies to reduce energy use and emissions in the transportation sector. We could not find evidence for a specific VMT reduction target.
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.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
We could not determine if the City tracks VMT or GHG numbers.
Last Updated: November 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
Mesa includes requirements for mixed-use districts in its zoning code. Along the city’s Light Rail Corridor, the Central Main Plan is a form base code that guides TOD & Infill Development.
Residential Parking Policies
The City still has parking minimums in place at this time.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
There are no incentives available through the City to promote location efficiency.
Last Updated: November 2021
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
At this time, the City does not have a codified mode share target for trips within the city.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
No progress has been achieved, as there are no targets in place.
Complete Streets
Mesa has not yet written or codified a Complete Streets Policy.
Car Sharing
At this time, the City does not have a formal policy in place to provide dedicated on-street and off-street parking for carshare vehicles.
Bike Sharing
We could not determine if the City is served by a bike-share system.
Last Updated: November 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
We could not determine the total funding allocated to transit entities serving the City of Mesa from 2015-2019.
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 Mesa's Transit Connectivity Index value is 4.6, scoring 0 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: November 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
The local utility SRP offers rebates for EVs.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
The local utility SRP offers rebates for the purchase of workplace EV chargers.
EV Charging Locations
The City has 42 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 81 ports per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
Mesa does not have an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
Mesa does not have an EV transit bus goal.
Last Updated: November 2021
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Mesa 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
Mesa does not have any requirements or incentives in place to develop or preserve affordable housing in transit-served areas.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
Mesa 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
Salt River Project (SRP), a municipally-owned utility (MOU), is the primary electric utility for the City of Mesa. The primary natural gas supplier for Mesa is Southwest Gas, an investor-owned utility. The State of Arizona requires spending and savings targets for its utilities through an EERS and documentation of Demand Side Management programs to be filed to the Arizona Corporation Commission before implementation. In 2021, the Arizona Corporation Commission approved new clean energy rules that highlight the role of energy efficiency in carbon emissions reductions. The rules package extends the existing EERS until 2030 and requires a carbon-free grid by 2070. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Arizona page of the State Database.
The City of Mesa Water Department is the municipal utility that provides the City of Mesa with drinking water services, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, according to EIA, SRP reported 531,611 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 1.84% of its electric retail sales. In 2019, SRP spent $45,715,000 on energy efficiency programs, which represents 1.62% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, Southwest Gas reported savings of 2.58 MMtherms from natural gas efficiency programs, representing 0.51% of its natural gas retail sales. In 2019, Southwest Gas spent $5,304,457 on energy efficiency, which equates to $5.81 per residential customer. These savings and spending figures cover Southwest Gas's entire service jurisdiction, not just the City of Mesa.
SRP offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and business customers. Southwest Gas similarly offers natural gas efficiency programs to residential and business customers.
At this time, the City of Mesa does not have a formal partnership with Salt River Project or Southwest Gas 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
SRP provides $725,000 per year to the Arizona Community Action Association to assist in their efforts to improve energy efficiency for low-income customers through the Weatherization Assistance Program. The program offers insulation, window shading, low-flow showerheads, faucet aerators, air conditioning duct seals, space heating and cooling system equipment, evaporative cooler tune-ups or motor upgrades, and LED bulbs. We were unable to confirm savings and customers served by the program in 2019.
Southwest Gas administers the LIEC Weatherization program for customers. This program includes general weatherization and energy efficiency measures. Water efficiency measures are also included in the program, and the program targets elderly households and people with disabilities. Southwest Gas partners with the Arizona Department of Housing on program delivery. We were unable to confirm savings and customers served by the program in 2019.
Multifamily Programs
SRP’s Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program (MEEP) retrofits existing structures with energy and water conservation measures. The program provides a free on-site walkthrough to assess existing conditions and program suitability, free CFLs and water-saving devices to retrofit tenant spaces, and the program encourages participation in the Standard Business Solutions program for common area upgrades. Savings, spending, and participation data for 2019 was not available.
At this time, Southwest Gas does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at multifamily properties.
Last Updated: July 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Salt River Project provides whole-building automated benchmarking data to commercial customers. The City of Mesa releases community-wide energy usage data for residential, commercial, and public sectors on an open data portal. The City of Mesa 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 2019, SRP set a carbon reduction goal of 65% by 2035 from 2005 levels and 90% by 2050. We were unable to measure the stringency of the goal due to a lack of baseline and current emissions data.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
We were unable to determine the carbon emissions per capita from SRP in 2019.
Last Updated: July 2021
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
City-wide water efficiency and goals
The energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this point, the City of Mesa has not established a water savings target or goal.
Water plant efficiency and self-generation
The water utility has not 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:
2 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
Climate Mitigation Goal
We were unable to find information regarding a municipal climate mitigation or greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal.
Energy Reduction Goal
We were unable to find information regarding an energy reduction goal for municipal operations.
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 Mesa’s fleet procurement policies or fuel-efficiency requirements. We were unable to find data regarding fleet composition.
Public Lighting
Mesa has adopted a policy requiring efficient outdoor lighting through its Lighting Control Ordinance. Mesa is in the process of replacing older City-owned streetlights with LEDs. All new streetlights are LEDs.
Onsite and offsite renewable systems
Mesa has installed several solar systems on municipal facilities, with a total generating capacity of 1376 kW.
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
Mesa tracks energy use at all sites, including electricity, natural gas, and district cooling. Each month sites are sorted by electricity, water, natural gas and district cooling usage.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
Annually Mesa calculates EUI for City Buildings. This is used to identify good candidates for energy efficiency projects.
Last updated: June 2021