Pittsburgh
City Scorecard Rank
21
Pittsburgh, PA
45.00Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 7.5 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Summary List All
The City of Pittsburgh formally adopted the Climate Action Plan 3.0 in 2018.
Last updated: September 2021
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The Climate Action Plan 3.0 commits Pittsburgh to greenhouse gas reduction goals of 20% below 2003 levels by 2023, 50% by 2030 and 80% by 2050. Based on ACEEE’s analysis of past years emissions data, ACEEE projects the city will not achieve its near-term community-wide GHG emissions reduction goal.
Climate Action Plan 3.0 also includes a greenhouse gas inventory for the city.
Energy Reduction Goal
The city’s Climate Action Plan 3.0 also established an energy use reduction goal of 50% below 2003 levels by 2030.
Renewable Energy Goal
Mayor Peduto pledged the city would achieve a community-wide goal of generating 100% renewable energy by 2030.
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
The City of Pittsburgh released the Pittsburgh Equity Indicators: A Baseline Measurement for Enhancing Equity in Pittsburgh report which includes environmental and sustainability metrics. The city is committed to an annual review of these metrics.
Last updated: September 2021
Clean Distributed Energy ResourcesList All
The City of Pittsburgh currently has two district steam systems and three institutional district energy system, while the city identified four additional opportunities to install district energy systems or microgrids. The city has also signed a Memo of Understanding with the Danish Energy and Climate Agency to develop the Pittsburgh District Energy Initiative.
Last updated: September 2021
Mitigation of Heat Islands List All
UHI Mitigation Goal
Pittsburgh’s Urban Forest Master Plan has an urban heat island mitigation goal to increase urban tree canopy cover to 60% by 2032.
UHI Policies and Programs
The city requires development projects receiving more than $1 million in public funds (or developments not receiving public funds but that are greater than 10,000 square feet) to incorporate low impact development practices in their site design and construction.
Last updated: September 2021
Buildings Policies
Score: 10.5 out of 30 points
Buildings Summary List All
The City of Pittsburgh is required to comply with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania’s building energy codes. Pittsburgh adopted a mandatory benchmarking and disclosure ordinance. The city also offers incentives and financing options for energy efficiency improvements and solar installations.
Last Updated: June 2021
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires its local jurisdictions to comply with state-mandated building energy codes. Residential construction must comply with the 2015 IECC. Commercial construction must comply with the 2015 IECC and ASHRAE 90.1-2013. To learn more about the required building energy codes for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial projects comply with the state’s mandated codes. Pittsburgh created a working group with the assistance of the Green Building Alliance to improve city codes for Pittsburgh and work with partner cities to advocate for improved energy codes statewide. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 51.3.
Residential
Residential projects comply with the state’s mandated codes. Pittsburgh created a working group with the assistance of the Green Building Alliance to improve city codes for Pittsburgh and work with partner cities to advocate for improved energy codes statewide. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 58.0.
Solar-readiness policies
As per the state code, the city is not allowed to mandate new developments be solar-ready. However, the the city allows solar in all zones and can be installed anywhere with an over the counter permit.
EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies
As per the state code, the city is not allowed to mandate new developments be EV-ready. Pittsburgh created an EV Task Force consisting of representatives from city departments, Duquense Light Company, institutions, and community members. The Task Force is charged with developing policies and programs that will increase EV penetration, including EV-readiness in new buildings.
Low-energy use requirements
Unless exempted by Section 915.08.D, all construction of new buildings on City-owned property and all Major Renovations of existing buildings on City-owned property must achieve net-zero energy ready building performance.
Last Updated: August 2021
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
Pittsburgh does not staff full time employees solely dedicated to energy code compliance. The city requires building code officials to complete energy code training. Pittsburgh requires in-house plan reviews and inspections to ensure code compliance. The city also provides upfront support for energy code compliance.
Last Updated: June 2021
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Commercial and multifamily benchmarking
Pittsburgh formally adopted a mandatory benchmarking and disclosure ordinance for commercial buildings over 50,000 square feet. The first compliance deadline was in June 2018, and the corresponding data will be released in 2019. The ordinance covers 67% of commercial buildings.
Incentives
Pittsburgh expedites solar permitting. The city also offers density bonuses of 20% in height and 20% in floor area to commercial projects that meet LEED efficiency standards.
Allegheny County offers commercial property assessed clean energy (C-PACE) financing for energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Voluntary programs
Pittsburgh runs a 2030 District and participates in the administration of Sustainable Pittsburgh to encourage energy reduction in commercial buildings.
Last Update: August 2021
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce DevelopmentList All
The City and Urban Redevelopment Authority partner with and supply funding for the Energy Innovation Center (EIC), which provides clean energy trainings.
Last Update: August 2021
Transportation
Score: 16 out of 30 points
Transportation Summary List All
The transportation authority serving the City of Pittsburgh is The Port Authority of Allegheny County. The Port Authority also provides the public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area, including bus and light rail service. The Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses Pittsburgh, and many surrounding cities and towns. Pittsburgh Highways is the city agency charged with managing the city’s transportation network.
Last updated: January 2017
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
The Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan 3.0 was adopted by City Council in 2018 and includes specific strategies to meet its VMT reduction goal.
Pittsburgh has a Complete Streets plan and policy which aims to improve the quality of life for all Pittsburghers by creating streets that are safe and comfortable for all people, activated public spaces, and connected transportation networks for everyone. aims to improve the quality of life for all Pittsburghers by creating streets that are safe and comfortable for all people, activated public spaces, and connected transportation networks for everyone.
Pittsburgh also adopted a comprehensive Bike Plan to develop a system of connected bike lanes in order to make biking easier and safer for all residents. By promoting biking and implementing the Bike Plan, Pittsburgh aims to reduce overall VMT within the city.
VMT/GHG Targets and Stringency
The Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan 3.0, which was adopted by City Council in 2018 outlines a goal of reducing VMT per capita by 50% below 2013 levels by 2030. This is equivalent to a 1.9% annual reduction.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
Between 2003 and 2013 VMT decreased by roughly 300,000,000 vmt annually. GHG emissions were also shown to have decreased.
Last Updated: December 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
Pittsburgh has a number of zoning overlays which aim to increase transit-oriented development.
Residential Parking Policies
The city requires one parking space per residential dwelling. 100% parking reductions are available downtown and 25-50% in other areas.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
The City of Pittsburgh has incentivized a number of criteria such as mixed-use development in the EcoInnovation District. If developers are able to meet certain criteria in the categories of People, Place, Planet, and Performance they are able to access additional density bonuses.
Last Updated: December 2021
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
The Pittsburgh Climate Action Plan 3.0, which was adopted by City Council in 2018, outlines mode shift goals. These include 50% increase in walking, 100% increase in biking, 100% increase in transit use, and a 50% decrease in single occupancy vehicle trips.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
Pittsburgh partners with the Green Building to execute a Make My Trip Count survey. This survey collects data around mode of transportation for commute trips. Results from this data collection helps track progress towards the mode shift goals.
Complete Streets
Pittsburgh’s complete streets policy scored an 92.8 out of 100 according to the National Complete Streets Coalition.
Last Updated: December 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transportation entities that serve the City of Pittsburgh have received $150,099,034.20 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $106.06 per capita between 2015 and 2019 within the 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 Pittsburgh Transit Connectivity Index value is 8.3, scoring 1.5 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: December 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
Pittsburgh has partnered with Duquesne Light Company (DLC) to provide EV rebates. DLC residential customers can claim up to $2,500 toward the purchase of any of an electric vehicle. DLC customers can also get a $60 bill credit for 'registering' their EV with Duquesne Light.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
Pittsburgh has partnered with Duquesne Light Company to provide EV charging infrastructure rebates. Driving PA Forward offers rebates of up to $5,000 per plug for workplace, multi-unit dwelling, and public charging station projects. DLC customers can receive an additional $32,000 toward the installation of public charging stations.
The City of Pittsburgh has also incentivized the installation of EV charging infrastructure through the Uptown EcoInnovation District. Additional density bonuses may be available for certain projects.
EV Charging Locations
The City has 284 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 94.6 ports per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
Pittsburgh does not have an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
Pittsburgh does not have an EV transit bus goal.
Last Updated: December 2021
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Pittsburgh’s Climate Action Plan 3.0 outlines several strategies for reducing freight emissions 25% 2030 including improved signage, off peak delivery, designated loading zones, and enforcement of existing idling laws.
Last Updated: December 2021
Clean, Efficient Transportation for Low-Income CommunitiesList All
Affordable New TOD Housing Policy
The City of Pittsburgh has incentivized a number of criteria such as increased transit access and multi-modal access in the EcoInnovation District.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
Pittsburgh’s bikeshare program offers a reduces rate for low-income participants. They also offer a free transfer between bikeshare and public transit.
Last Updated: December 2021
Energy & Water Utilities
Score: 7 out of 15 points
Energy & Water Utilities Summary List All
Duquesne Light Company, an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric utility serving the City of Pittsburgh. Peoples Natural Gas (PNG), an IOU, is Pittsburgh’s primary natural gas utility. The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania requires spending and savings targets for its utilities through an EERS with oversight by the Public Utilities Commission. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Pennsylvania page of the State Database.
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority is the municipal utility that provides drinking water and stormwater management services to the City of Pittsburgh. The Allegheny County Sanitary Authority is the regional wastewater treatment utility.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, Duquesne Light achieved 62,251 MWh in net electric incremental savings, representing 0.50% of retail sales. In 2019, Duquesne spent $18,325,000 on energy efficiency programs, which represents 2.15% of its electric retail revenue. In 2019, Peoples Natural Gas did not run natural gas efficiency programs. These savings figures cover the entire Pennsylvania service territory, not just Pittsburgh.
Duquesne offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and business customers.
The City of Pittsburgh partners with Duquesne Light and PNG through efforts to support energy efficiency throughout the community, including Penn Future and GTECH’s ReEnergize Network. The ReEnergize Network brings stakeholders in energy together to progress local energy efficiency concerns, such as energy providers, local government officials, real estate stakeholders, nonprofit partners, and energy auditors. These programs share information, advice and awareness about ENERGY STAR, retrofits, upgrades and utility incentives with residential customers, small businesses and corporations. Recently, Duquesne Light and the City have partnered with several others as part of the Ecoinnovation District Plan.
Last Updated: July 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
Duquesne Light offers a low-income energy efficiency programs, including the Low-Income Whole House Energy Audit for both single and multifamily households, as well as the Smart Comfort payment assistance program, and community events and home energy reports for qualified low-income residential customers. The Whole House Energy Audits include different measures for customers with electric and nonelectric water heating and electric space heating. Homes that use electric heat receive the most measures, including attic, wall, and floor insulation; blower door testing and air sealing; crawl space and heater insulation; electric heating repair or replacement; duct insulation; caulking and weatherstripping; and heat pump water heaters. Electric water heating customers also receive water heater pipe wrap, faucet aerators, and water heater tank wrap. Non-electric heating customers receive efficient lighting, smart power strips, and refrigerator replacements. Health measures include smoke and carbon monoxide monitors, and minor repairs to prevent weatherization deferrals. Multifamily buildings receive all residential and commercial measures approved by the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission’s Energy Efficiency Conservation Plan. The program targets high energy users and elderly households. Duquesne Light contracts with community-based organizations such as churches, synagogues, and food banks.
In 2019, according to Duquesne Light, it achieved 3,831 MWh in energy savings, while spending $1,445,000 on its low-income programs and served 18,695 low-income customers.
Peoples Natural Gas offers the Low Income Usage Reduction Program (LIURP) to qualified residential customers. This program implements energy efficiency measures in low-income households in order to help them reduce their energy consumption. Measures include heating system improvements and replacements, insulation, caulking, weatherstripping, hot water treatments, and tank improvements and replacements. LIURP targets high energy users and accepts enrollment in a bill assistance program as a form of income qualification. The program is implemented in collaboration with Together Pittsburgh, Re-Energize Pittsburgh, the Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), and the local electric utilities. Peoples Natural Gas partners with local non-profits in agencies to educate them LIURP and encourage referral of eligible customers.
In 2019, Peoples Natural Gas served 153 qualified residential customers. Spending and savings values for their 2019 low-income programs were not available.
Multifamily Programs
Duquesne Light offers the Multifamily Housing Retrofit Program, which acts as a one-stop shop for providing low-cost upgrades to master-metered income-qualified multifamily buildings. Program services include the administration of energy efficiency audits, technical assistance, property aggregation, contractor negotiation and equipment bulk purchasing. The program requires participants to provide a co-payment. The program also has a component to serve tenant utility paid customers within unit measures in addition to common area treatment.
In 2019, according to Duquesne Light, it achieved 842 MWh net energy savings, while spending $1,115,000 on its multifamily program and serving 642 housing units at 10 multifamily properties.
At this time, People's Natural Gas does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at multifamily properties.
Last Updated: July 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Duquesne Light provides building owners or managers with automatic benchmarking data for use in ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. The City of Pittsburgh provides community-wide energy usage information at the aggregate level for community planning and evaluation purposes through its Climate Action Plan 3.0 and 2018 Greenhouse Gas Inventory report. The energy utilities provide annual energy use to the city.
The City of Pittsburgh 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
At this time, Duquesne Light Co. has not set a greenhouse gas or carbon reduction goal for the utility.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
At this time, we cannot confirm if city of Pittsburgh participates in activities or strategies to help spur or encourage more utility-scale or distributed renewable energy generation from its local electric utility, such as testifying in public utility commission proceedings related to renewable energy, creating a formal partnership with the electric utility on renewable generation, or participating in utility planning efforts to increase renewable generation.
Last Updated: July 2021
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals
Pittsburgh’s energy and water utilities do not run any joint efficiency programs. Even though there are no established water efficiency goals, PWSA supports two fulltime leak detection crews that employ electronic correlators and acoustic sound sensors to pinpoint leaks on both utility- and customer-owned water lines.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
The Pittsburgh Water and Sewer Authority (PWSA) has a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 20% below 2003 levels by 2023. Old pump motors are being upgraded to more efficient equipment. ALCOSAN, the county sewer authority, uses steam generated from incineration of the sludge to heat buildings and to generate electricity.
Last Updated: July 2021
Local Government Score:
4 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
The City of Pittsburgh uses both Climate Action Plan and executive orders to set community-wide and local government climate and energy action agendas.
Climate Mitigation Goal
Pittsburgh’s Climate Action Plan sets a citywide greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal of 80% below 2003 levels by 2050, with interim reductions goal of 20% below 2003 levels by 2023 and 50% below 2003 levels by 2030. The goals apply to municipal operations as well. Based on ACEEE’s analysis of past years emissions data, ACEEE projects that the city will meet its near-term GHG emissions reduction goal for municipal operations.
Energy Reduction Goal
Pittsburgh set a goal to reduce local government energy use 50% from 2010 levels by 2030.
Renewable Energy Goal
The Climate Action Plan includes a goal to use renewable energy to power 100% of municipal operations by 2030. The city achieved this goal last year through a current purchase agreement with Direct Energy.
Last updated: June 2021
Procurement and Construction Policies List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
As part of the Climate Action Plan, the city has a goal of converting to a fossil fuel free fleet by 2030. Pittsburgh’s Fleet Acquisition Agency has a Green Vehicle Purchasing Policy since 2008. This policy specifies that when purchasing a public fleet vehicle, the Board of Directors of the Equipment Leasing Authority shall require that all new vehicles and accessory equipment purchased for municipal use be the safest, most fuel-efficient and “green” vehicle in the applicable class required for the job. Pittsburgh’s fleet is composed of 4.1% efficient vehicles, including hybrid and battery electric vehicles.
Public Lighting
Pittsburgh adopted an ordinance in 2011 that requires efficient outdoor lighting and includes cut-off, uplight, and glare specifications. Additionally, in 2014 changes to the lighting code were made to allow the placement of LEDs in parking garages. During the first phase of their LED installation program , the city purchased and installed 3,500 new LED streetlights in the business corridor and city operated athletic fields, the second phase of this program has already started and it is planned to finish with the remaining 36,500 lighting replacements in residential corridors. The lighting includes controls to activate and deactivate lighting as needed. Approximately 9% of streetlights have currently been converted to LEDs.
Onsite and offsite renewable systems
We were unable to find information regarding onsite renewable energy systems in Pittsburgh.
Inclusive procurement
We were unable to find information indicating that the City has active inclusive procurement and contracting processes, but it has established a Roadmap to Inclusive Procurement.
Last updated: June 2021
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
Through the Building Benchmarking Ordinance, the City benchmarks and publicly discloses energy use for 100% of the square footage of City facilities.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
Pittsburgh has recently contracted with Massaro to develop a Facilities Optimization Study. The study looked at all municipal buildings to determine improvements needed. Pittsburgh is also working with the Rocky Mountain Institute to determine the best strategy and timeline for implementing the suggestions in the Facilities Optimization Study and to possibly take some City facilities to net zero. Ordinance 2019-1995 requires all new City facilities or major retrofits to be net zero ready energy. To support this legislation the City is developing a Facilities Improvement Master Plan,
Last updated: June 2021