Rochester
City Scorecard Rank
51
Rochester, NY
25.50Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 0 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The Climate Action Plan established a community-wide greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals of 40% below 2010 levels by 2030. 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.
The Climate Action Plan includes a community-wide greenhouse gas inventory, which is in the process of being updated after the city was awarded funding to conduct a new inventory. The city will also evaluate progress toward emission reductions.
Energy Efficiency 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: 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, though the city is investigating opportunities for residents to learn about and adopt community solar.
Last updated: August 2023
Mitigation of Heat Islands List All
Urban Heat Island Mitigation Policies and Programs
The city does not have any policies or programs that mitigate the urban heat island effect, but the city has developed the “Sustainable Practices for Building Owners and Occupants” guidebook and the “Green Infrastructure Retrofit Manual” and is considering policies and incentives.
The Climate Action Plan identifies trees, parks, and open space as general strategies to mitigate the urban heat island effect. The Climate Change Resilience Plan suggests similar strategies, though these have not been implemented yet.
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: September 2023
Buildings Policies
Score: 9 out of 30 points
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
New York State allows local jurisdictions to adopt building energy codes that are more stringent than the state code. New York requires residential and commercial buildings to comply with the 2020 New York State Code. Rochester has not adopted a stretch code. To learn more about New York’s building energy codes, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial properties must comply with 2020 New York State Code. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 51.0.
Residential
Residential properties must comply with the 2020 New York State Code. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 57.42.
Solar-readiness policies
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction be solar-ready, but allows solar use in all zones.
EV-charging 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 uses plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing to verify energy code compliance. The city does not provide upfront support for energy code compliance, but the city released a Guide to Sustainable Practices for Building Owners and Occupants.
Last Update: September 2023
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Incentives
The city offers home energy improvements through the Sustainable Homes Rochester program. The program received funding from NYSERDA to promote clean heating and cooling technologies.
Proposed developments that use City funds or are on City-owned property are scored by City staff. Extra points are given towards approval when buildings have energy efficient systems or EV charging stations.
The city also offers C-PACE financing.
Last Update: November 2023
Transportation
Score: 8 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
Rochester's Climate Action Plan was released in 2017 and includes sustainable transportation strategies.
VMT/GHG Targets and Stringency
The City of Rochester does not have a codified VMT or transportation GHG reduction target.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
The City of Rochester does not have a codified VMT or transportation GHG reduction target, and therefore cannot make progress toward the target.
Last Updated: September 2023
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
We were unable to find information indicating that the City of Rochester has made changes to its zoning code in the past 10 years to facilitate more residential density, mixed-use development, or transit-oriented development.
Parking Requirement
Rochester has eliminated parking minimums in the Center City District.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
The City of Rochester does not have location-efficient development incentives or disclosure policies.
Affordable Housing around Transit
The City of Rochester does not require, preserve, or incentivize the development of affordable housing near transit.
Last Updated: September 2023
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
The City of Rochester does not have a codified mode share target.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
The City of Rochester does not have a codified mode share target, and therefore cannot make progress toward the target.
Subsidized Access to Efficient Transportation Options
Veo, the city's shared micromobility operator, offers discounted rates for those who participate in any local, state, or federal assistance program through the Veo Access program.
Last Updated: September 2023
Public Transit List All
Transit Funding
The transit entities that serve the City of Rochester have received $29,456,673.40 on average annually between 2017 and 2021 from local sources. That equates to roughly $42.42 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 Rochester's AllTransit Performance Score is 6.5, scoring 1 point in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: September 2023
Efficient VehiclesList All
Efficient Vehicle Purchase Incentives
Neither the City of Rochester nor the local utility provide incentives for purchasing efficient vehicles.
Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Incentives
RG&E, a utility serving the City of Rochester, offers rebates for the cost of electrical infrastructure upgrades for EV charging stations. Multifamily developments and buildings in disadvantaged communities are eligible for rebates covering 100% of the cost, while municipally-owned lots and lots without restricted access are eligible for rebates covering 90% of the cost. Private lots are eligible for rebates covering 50% of the cost.
Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Requirements
The City of Rochester does not require new developments to install EV charging stations.
EV Charging Ports
The City of Rochester has 140.4 vehicle charging ports per 100,000 people available for public use.
Electric School Bus Goal
The State of New York set a goal in 2022 of transitioning all school buses to electric by 2035. Therefore, the City of Rochester earned points for this metric.
Electric Transit Bus Goal
Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority, the parent company of Rochester's primary public transit agency, set a goal of transitioning 100% of its bus fleet to zero-emission by 2035.
Last Updated: September 2023
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Sustainable Freight Plans
The City of Rochester does not have a sustainable freight plan or freight mobility plan in place, nor is it pursuing any freight efficiency strategies.
Open Data Portals
The City of Rochester does not have an open data portal with real-time freight data.
Last Updated: September 2023
Community Energy Infrastructure
Score: 16 out of 40 points
Community Energy Infrastructure Summary List All
Rochester Gas and Electric (RG&E), an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric and natural gas utility for the City of Rochester. The New York State Energy Research and Development Agency (NYSERDA) is the state-wide agency that administers energy-efficiency programs. The State of New York requires spending and savings targets for its utilities through an EERS and efficiency requirements in utility EEPSs. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the New York page of the State Database.
The City of Rochester Bureau of Water is the municipal utility that provides the City of Rochester with drinking water services, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management.
Last Updated: September 2023
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2021, RG&E and NYSERDA reported 54,016 MWh of net electric savings at the meter.
In 2021, RG&E reported 2.81 MMtherms of total net natural gas savings at the meter. These savings figures cover RG&E’s entire service jurisdiction, not just Rochester.
RG&E offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance tol and customers. RG&E also offers natural gas efficiency programs to and commercial customers.
RG&E has been working with the City of Rochester in an administrative capacity on a low-income energy efficiency program. RG&E also worked collaboratively on the ROC EV Accelerator program and provided support for their efforts to secure funding from NYPA on programs to support air source heat pumps and electric vehicle car share for residents.
Last Updated: September 2023
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
At this time, RG&E does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at low-income customers.
NYSERDA offers the EmPower New York program to qualified low-income residential customers served by RG&E. This program addresses both electric and natural gas end uses, while providing no-cost energy efficiency solutions including air sealing, insulation, replacement of inefficient refrigerators and freezers, water efficiency measures, thermostats, and new energy-efficient lighting in order to reduce energy consumption. Additionally, the EmPower program includes health and safety checks of smoke detectors and appliances. Households that receive HEAP benefits, utility bill payment assistance, or participate in the federal Weatherization Assistance Program are automatically eligible. NYSERDA’s Multifamily Performance Program and RetrofitNY initiatives also have low-income saving components.
In 2021, we were unable to verify saving and spending information for these programs. The City of Rochester offers the Home Rehabilitation and Repairs Program, which is funded by the City of Rochester Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Community Development Block Grant program, New York State Affordable Housing Corporation, and HUD’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes.
Multifamily Programs
RG&E offers a Multifamily Energy Efficiency program, which includes free direct install measures such as LED lighting in units and common areas, and faucet aerators and showerheads, water heater pipe wrap. The program also offers rebates for installing additional lighting measures, such as interior LED lamps, fixtures, and exit signs, exterior LED lighting such as wall packs, floodlights, canopy lights, and pole lights, and occupancy sensors.
The New York State Affordable Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program (AMEEP) is a combined effort of the Joint Utilities of New York (including RG&E) and NYSERDA. The program offers incentives for the installation of energy efficient equipment and technology to affordable multifamily buildings with five or more units.
In 2018, NYSERDA launched the RetrofitNY initiative. The goal of this program is to drive market transformation by industrializing and standardizing the design and construction processes to achieve deep levels of cost compression, which will drive large scale adoption of deep energy and net zero retrofits in multifamily buildings. RetrofitNY approaches retrofits from a whole building perspective and targets multiple health and resiliency benefits as associated outcomes of building work-scope. NYSERDA funds are used in conjunction with other subsidy and financing offered from local, state and federal sources as a financing package coordinated through relevant affordable housing agencies.
In 2021, we were unable to verify savings and spending information for these programs.
Last Updated: September 2023
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Rochester Gas & Electric does not provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings.
The city of Rochester provides community wide energy usage information for planning and evaluation purposes through their Utility Energy Registry (UER). The UER is a project adopted by the New York State Public Service Commission and managed by NYSERDA. It offers streamlined, public access to community-level data on electricity and natural gas consumption. Utilities report data to the UER every six months, so communities update GHG inventories and track progress toward climate goals over time.
The City of Rochester 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 2020, Avangrid, the parent company of RG&E, set a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2025 compared to 2015 levels (scope 1 emissions), and achieve carbon neutrality by 2035.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
In November 2019, the Mayor of Rochester submitted legislation to the City Council to authorize a community choice aggregation (CCA) program for the community. After a successful two-year contract from September 2021- August 2023, residents saved money and helped to lessen Rochester’s carbon footprint. Participants will, again, be able to power their homes and businesses with renewable electricity through the Rochester Community Power program.
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, though the city is investigating opportunities for residents to learn about and adopt community solar.
Municipal Renewable Energy Procurement
While we were unable to find information regarding onsite renewable energy systems in Rochester. Rochester has a Power Purchase Agreement with Solar Liberty to generate renewable energy that powers City Hall and the Central Vehicle Maintenance Facility. The offsite system is a 2MW solar field located in Rochester.
City Renewable Energy Incentive and Financing Programs
The city offers C-PACE financing.
Last Updated: September 2023
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals
The energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this point, the City of Rochester 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: September 2023
Local Government Score:
2 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
The City of Rochester’s Municipal Operations Climate Action Plan identifies specific municipal operations that will contribute to Rochester’s citywide climate and energy goals.
Climate Mitigation Goal
Rochester has not set a current climate mitigation goal.
Energy Reduction Goal
Rochester has not set a current energy reduction goal.
Renewable Energy Goal
Rochester has not set a current municipal renewable energy goal.
Last updated: June 2021
Procurement and Construction Policies List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
We could not confirm if Rochester has a fleet procurement policy 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. The City of Rochester focused on energy efficient LED lighting upgrades as an opportunity to save energy and improve efficiency across 4.4 million-square feet of its building portfolio. The lighting strategies include interior LED fixture upgrades in many facilities; change-out of 25,000 fluorescent tubes with plug and play LED; and upgrades of 15,000 streetlights to LED, with integrated cloud-based controls. The City has upgraded approximately 50% of streetlights to LED.
Inclusive procurement
While we unable to verify that the policy has been applied to energy projects, Rochester has minority and women-owned business enterprise participation goals in multiple departments.
Last updated: October 2023
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
The City uses EnergySTAR Portfolio Manager to track energy use for municipal facilities, however we could not confirm the percentage of city buildings that have been benchmarked.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategies
Rochester committed to the US Department of Energy’s Better Buildings challenge (BBC) for its portfolio of buildings. The City pledged approximately 4 million square feet of buildings in the BBC. The goal of the BBC is a 20% energy use intensity reduction in municipal infrastructure by 2020. In addition to achieving the DOE BBC challenge goals, the City is finalizing the scope of a Flex Tech Study which approved and funded, would identify municipal facilities that would be selected for energy efficiency upgrades which may include comprehensive efficiency retrofits.
Last updated: June 2021