Omaha
City Scorecard Rank
69
Omaha, NE
15.50Scored out of 100Updated 8/2019
Local Government Score:
0 out of 9 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
Climate Mitigation Goal
We did not find information regarding a municipal climate mitigation or greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal.
Energy Reduction Goal
We did not 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: March 2019
Procurement and Construction List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
We could not find information on Omaha’s fleet procurement policies or fuel efficiency requirements. We were unable to find data regarding fleet composition.
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. We could not confirm if Omaha has an outdoor lighting upgrade program.
Green Building Requirements
We could not confirm if Omaha has adopted a green building policy requiring municipal buildings to exceed city-wide energy codes or obtain green building certification.
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking and Retrofitting
We were unable to find information on Omaha’s benchmarking practices or retrofit strategies.
Public Workforce Commuting
We did not find information on a policy aimed at reducing commutes of city employees, such as flexible schedules or telework.
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 2.5 out of 16 points
Community-Wide Summary List All
Though the City of Omaha has not adopted sustainability or climate action plan for the community, Omaha’s 2010 Master Plan states the intention to create a Comprehensive Energy Management Plan for Municipal Operations and Community-wide.
Last updated: June 2019
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The city does not have a climate mitigation or greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal.
Energy Reduction Goal
Omaha’s Master Plan establishes a goal to reduce energy use per capita 20% between 2010 and 2020 and then 20% every ten years.
Renewable Energy Goal
The Master Plan includes a goal to increase renewable energy generation to 20% of total energy use in 2010 by 2030 and shift energy generation to renewable resource by 20% every 10 years thereafter.
Energy Data Reporting
The city does not report community-wide energy data.
Last updated: June 2019
Equity-Driven Approaches to Clean Energy Planning, Implementation, and EvaluationList All
Equity-Driven Community Engagement
We were unable to determine whether permanent city staff have taken a unique and expanded approach in conducting outreach for multiple clean energy initiatives to marginalized groups compared with outreach to 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.
Accountability to Equity
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: June 2019
Clean Distributed Energy SystemsList 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: June 2019
Buildings Policies
Score: 4 out of 30 points
Buildings Summary List All
The City of Omaha has authority to adopt building energy codes at the municipal level, but has not adopted a code more stringent than Nebraska’s energy code. The city offers C-PACE financing for renewable energy projects. We could not find information on city mandated benchmarking policies or above-code energy action requirements.
Last updated: March 2019
Building Energy Code AdoptionList All
Overview
The State of Nebraska allows its local jurisdictions to adopt building energy codes other than the state standards. The state’s building energy code is the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code. Omaha has not adopted an energy code more stringent than the state’s. To learn more, please visit the Nebraska page on the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial properties must comply with the 2009 IECC. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 67.0.
Residential
Residential properties must comply with the 2009 IECC. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 68.4.
Solar- and EV-ready
We could not find information on whether the city has adopted solar- and/or EV-ready ordinances.
Last updated: March 2019
Building Energy Code Enforcement and ComplianceList All
Omaha requires commercial developers to submit plan reviews. Nebraska offers occasional workshops on energy code compliance. We could not find information on the number of full time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code.
Last updated: March 2019
Incentives and Financing for Efficient Buildings and Renewable EnergyList All
Omaha offers commercial property owners access to property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing for renewable energy projects.
Last updated: March 2019
Required Energy ActionsList All
We could not find information on whether the city requires building owners to conduct additional above-code energy actions.
Last updated: March 2019
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: March 2019
Energy & Water Utilities
Score: 2 out of 15 points
Energy & Water Utilities Summary List All
Omaha Public Power District (OPPD), a municipally-owned utility (MOU), is the primary electric utility for the City of Omaha. The primary natural gas supplier for Omaha is the Metropolitan Utilities District of Omaha, an MOU. To learn more about the state-requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Nebraska page of the State Database.
The Metropolitan Utilities District also provides the City of Omaha with drinking water services. Wastewater treatment and stormwater management are handled by the City of Omaha.
Last Updated: May 2019
Electric & Gas Energy Efficiency Programs and SavingsList All
In 2017, OPPD reported 26,696 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 0.25% of its retail sales. In 2017, Metropolitan Utilities District of Omaha reported no natural gas savings at the meter. These savings figures cover both utilities’ entire service jurisdiction, not just Omaha. OPPD offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and business customers. Metropolitan Utilities District similarly offers natural gas efficiency programs to residential customers.
At this time, the City of Omaha does not have a formal partnership with Metropolitan Utilities District in the form of a jointly-developed or administered energy saving strategy, plan, or agreement.
Last Updated: March 2019
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
OPPD offers the Smart Steps program, which provides energy education tools and tips to low-income customers. The program has multiple phases. All participants go through phase 1, which includes an energy efficiency presentation and workshop and local credit advisors for financial advising. Phase 2 involves direct install measures such as efficient bulbs, night lights, and weatherstripping. This phase also includes an energy assessment of the home. Phase 3 can include attic insulation. OPPD partners with various agencies to host workshops and educational events to teach customers about energy efficiency. In 2017, according to OPPD, it achieved 97 MWh from its low-income program while serving 209 customers.
At this time, the Metropolitan Utilities District of Omaha does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at low-income households.
Multifamily Programs
OPPD offers Business Prescriptive and Custom Rebates for energy efficient heating and cooling systems installed on multi-family residences. In 2017, according to OPPD, it achieved 3,335 MWh savings from its multifamily rebate program and installed 639 new HVAC systems.
At this time, the Metropolitan Utilities District of Omaha does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at multifamily buildings.
Last Updated: March 2019
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Neither OPPD nor Metropolitan Utilities District provides building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. The City of Omaha 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: March 2019
Renewable Energy Efforts of Energy UtilitiesList All
Renewable Energy Incentives
In 2017, Omaha Public Power District did not provide renewable energy incentives for the construction of new distributed solar or wind systems
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
In 2017, OPPD produced 31% of its generation from renewable sources.
Last Updated: April 2019
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
City-wide water efficiency and goals
Metropolitan Utilities District (MUD) is a natural gas and water utility. It offers a rain shut-off device program to promote outdoor water conservation, as well as a $50 rebate for rain-sensors. At this point, the City of Omaha has not established a water savings target or goal, but its website does list plans for water conservation and water emergencies.
Water plant efficiency and self-generation
The water utility has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies, nor does it self-generate its own energy.
Last Updated: March 2019
Transportation
Score: 7 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
Omaha’s master plan addresses transportation but does not identify any strategies to reduce energy or greenhouse gases.
VMT/GHG Targets and Stringency
Omaha does not have a VMT/GHG target in place for the transportation sector.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
Omaha does not track progress towards a VMT/GHG target.
Last Updated: March 2019
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
Omaha’s zoning codes includes requirements for mixed use districts.
Residential Parking Policies
Omaha has not removed minimum parking requirements or added parking maximums for new developments as part of its zoning code.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
We could not confirm if Omaha has location efficiency incentives or disclosure requirements.
Last Updated: March 2019
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
Omaha does not have a mode shift target in place for the transportation sector.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
Omaha does not track progress towards their mode shift target.
Complete Streets
Newark’s complete streets policy scored an 88.8 out of 100 according to the National Complete Streets Coalition.
Car Sharing
We could not confirm if Omaha has a parking policy in place for car sharing vehicles.
Bike Sharing
The city has 42.62 docked bike share bikes per 100,000 people.
Last Updated: May 2019
Transit List All
Transportation Funding
Omaha spends an average of $13.80 per capita on transit.
Access to Transit Services
The city has an All Transit Performance score of 5.0 out of 10.
Last Updated: March 2019
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
The Omaha Public Power District offers residents $3,500 in incentives towards the purchase of a Nissan Leaf.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
OPPD also offers incentives for EV charging infrastructure installation.
EV Charging Locations
Omaha has 3.43 publicly available EV charging locations per 100,000 people.
Renewable Charging Incentives
Omaha does not have any incentives for renewable EV charging infrastructure installation.
Last Updated: March 2019
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Omaha does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: March 2019
Clean, Efficient Transportation for Low-Income CommunitiesList All
Affordable New TOD Housing Policy
Omaha does not have any requirements or incentives in place to encourage the development or preservation of affordable housing in transit-served areas.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
Omaha does not provide any subsidies for efficient transportation options to low-income residents.
Low-Income Access to High Quality Transit
0% of low-income households (those that earn less than $50k annually) are located near high-quality, all-day transit in Omaha.
Last Updated: March 2019