Sacramento
City Scorecard Rank
18
Sacramento, CA
46.00Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 4 out of 10 points
Community-Wide Summary List All
The City of Sacramento is currently developing the 2040 General Plan and Climate Action update. The city also formally adopted the 2035 General Plan in 2015. The Plan establishes sustainability goals and strategies.
Last updated: September 2021
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The 2035 General Plan includes a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 83% below 2005 levels by 2050 with interim reduction goals of 15% by 2020 and 49% by 2035. Based on ACEEE’s analysis of past years emissions data, ACEEE projects that the city will achieve 75% of the per-capita emissions reductions required to achieve its 2030 community-wide GHG emissions reduction goal.
A community-wide greenhouse gas inventory is included in the 2017 General Plan Annual Report.
Energy Reduction Goal
The 2035 General Plan establishes a goal to reduce residential and commercial energy use 25% below 2005 levels by 2030.
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
As part of the General Plan updating process, plan developers met with key community leaders from communities most impacted by pollution on how to best incorporate environmental justice objectives into the General Plan.
Environmental justice listening sessions were provided within disadvantaged communities, and food, translation services, and family activities were provided to encourage participation. Similar services were provided at four citywide workshops and ten community area meetings. Recommendations from these events are being incorporated into the 2040 General Plan. Additionally, quick but interactive "pop-up outreach" was conducted at existing community events and gathering places withing disadvantaged communities.
Equity-Driven Decision-Making
The Sacramento Environmental Justice Collaborative Governance Committee launched in February 2021. It is a 12-person committee from various backgrounds or issue areas that care about environmental justice. Committee members will meet monthly during 2021 and give quarterly recommendations to the Sacramento City Council related to climate, land use, transportation, and environmental justice matters.
Sacramento created the Environmental Justice Working Group to advise of environmental justice planning implementation, identify meaningful community engagement strategies, assist city staff on processing input from identified community needs and priorities, provide guidance on environmental justice policy element, advise on community capacity development, and identify areas for overall improvement within the city. Also, the Mayors' Commission on Climate Change is advised by an inclusive process which includes Technical Advisory Committees (which include community representatives), community and youth engagement, and equity roundtables. Recommendations from these processes will be incorporated into the 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, though the 2040 Climate Action Plan will include an environmental justice element. Equity goals and strategies for the plan are currently being developed.
Last updated: September 2021
Clean Distributed Energy ResourcesList All
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) runs SolarShares, an off-site community solar program. SMUD offered a first round of community solar enrollment to agency and institutional partners. The City was one of the first participants, and the program now offsets 35% of municipal energy use with solar power.
Last updated: September 2021
Mitigation of Heat Islands List All
UHI Mitigation Goal
The 2035 General Plan includes a goal to plant 1,000 trees annually until the city achieves 35% urban canopy coverage, a goal it regularly meets. The plan also includes a broad goal of reducing the urban heat island effect using policies that require or promote the installation of measures such as reflective or green roofs, light-colored pavement, and urban shade trees.
UHI Policies and Programs
The City Code includes a private tree protection ordinance.
SMUD offers free private tree plantings through the Free Shade Tree Program. The program provides homeowners with free trees only if the tree meets a baseline energy savings goal.
The city is a member of the Urban Heat Island - Capital Region technical advisory committee, which is exploring how the urban heat island effect will impact the region, develop a blueprint of solutions and analyze which will be most effective to the region's unique climate and heat island pattern. The project will create a regional UHI model to identify highly-impacted areas, incorporate community input, and offer specific recommendations for policies and programs.
The 2035 General Plan's Land Use and Urban Design chapter includes numerous goals and policy recommendations, many of which have already been implemented. Additionally, the city is updating its Urban Forest Master Plan. The city's Stormwater Quality Design Manual (adopted in 2018) sets limits on allowable impervious surface and requires pervious surface materials in new developments.
Last updated: September 2021
Buildings Policies
Score: 12 out of 30 points
Buildings Summary List All
The City of Sacramento enforces the state’s building energy codes and solar- and EV-readiness mandates. The city also adheres to California’s mandatory benchmarking and disclosure policy. Sacramento and Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) offer several incentives and financing options for both commercial and residential property owners seeking energy efficiency improvements and/or renewable energy installations.
Last Updated: June 2021
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of California allows its local jurisdictions to adopt building energy codes more stringent than the mandatory state codes. Title 24 outlines all California building codes. Title 24, Part 6 includes the California Energy Code and the California Building Energy Efficiency Standards (BEES). Title 24, Part 11 includes the California Green Building Code. Sacramento currently enforces the 2019 state building energy codes, which exceed the 2015 IECC standards and ASHRAE/IESNA 90.1-2016. However, the city is in the process of developing an electrification ordinance reach code. To learn more about California’s building energy codes, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial properties must currently comply with Title 24, though the city is developing an electrification ordinance reach code. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 41.7.
Residential
Residential properties must currently comply with Title 24, though the city is developing an electrification ordinance reach code. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 59.6.
Solar-readiness policies
Sacramento adheres to the residential solar-ready requirements already included in the California Building Standards Code.
EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies
Sacramento adheres to the residential solar-ready requirements included in the California Building Standards Code, which also mandates EV-readiness in residential and nonresidential buildings.
Low-energy use requirements
In 2004, the City Council adopted a resolution establishing goals for all new and remodeled City facilities to meet a minimum LEED Silver standard. The City’s 2035 General Plan Land Use Policy LU 8.1.5 reiterates the City’s ongoing commitment that new or renovated City-owned buildings are energy efficient and meet, as appropriate, LEED Silver or equivalent standards.
Last Updated: August 2021
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
Sacramento does not staff any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city uses plan reviews to verify energy code compliance. The city also provides upfront support for energy code compliance by helping developers and/or owners prepare plans prior to submittal.
Last Updated: June 2021
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Commercial and multifamily benchmarking
The State of California adopted Assembly Bill (AB) 802 in October of 2015. It will require commercial and multifamily buildings greater than 50,000 square feet and larger to benchmark energy usage annually. California requires commercial buildings to obtain and disclose ENERGY STAR ratings to transactional counter parties and the California Energy Commission at the time of a sale, lease, or financing for the entire building through AB 1130.
Incentives
The city offers residential and commercial property owners access to property assessed clean energy (PACE) financing for energy efficiency and solar installation projects. It also provides height bonuses for green buildings (incentive for building to CALGreen Tier 1 or Tier 2 standards) adopted in Sept. 2013 and for green roofs and rooftop farms adopted in March 2015.
SMUD, the city’s municipal utility, offers a range of rebates for home energy efficiency improvements. The utility also offers new electric vehicle drivers a free level 2 charger for residential properties. It also offers businesses an incentive for installing an electric vehicle charger.
SMUD also runs the All-Electric Smart Homes program offers developers of newly constructed homes grants to install all-electric infrastructure on the property. Through the Home Performance Program, SMUD offers owners of existing home $13,750 for a comprehensive gas-to-electric conversion.
Last updated: June 2021
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce DevelopmentList All
The Sacramento Municipal Utility District has a community solar program. Through partnerships with schools and non-profit organizations, the utility promotes realistic hands-on energy training through the program. Moreover, the city invested $10 million of CARES stimulus funding into workforce, with over $1 million going to weatherization, efficiency, and clean mobility workforce training.
Last Update: June 2021
Transportation
Score: 15 out of 30 points
Transportation Summary List All
The transportation authority serving the city of Sacramento is Sacramento Regional Transit District. SACRT also provides the public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area, including bus and light rail service. The Sacramento Area Council of Governments is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses Sacramento, and the six surrounding counties. The Department of Public Works 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 City implements a Transportation Systems Management Program, which is going to be updated in 2019 to better achieve trip reductions. In January 2021 City Council adopted the land use framework for the 2040 General Plan with lane reductions.
VMT/GHG Targets and Stringency
The City is developing a citywide VMT reduction target that will be adopted in the 2040 General plan update.
VMT/GHG Targets and Stringency
The City is developing a citywide VMT reduction target that will be adopted in the 2040 General plan update.
Last Updated: December 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Code
Sacramento's Transit-Oriented Development Ordinance was put into effect on January 10, 2019. This ordinance paired with the city's Transportation Management Plan, have introduced new zoning regulations promoting location efficiency within Sacramento.
Residential Parking Policies
The city’s parking code removes parking requirements for residential purposes in the central business and arts and entertainment districts. Projects with a transportation management plan may achieve up to 35% reduction. Required parking ratios have also been reduced, so that in most cases trees can be added to parking lots without triggering the need for more parking.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
As an incentive to promote location-efficient real estate development, the city has an infill program that provides developers with flexibility in floor area ratios, height restrictions, and density. Expedited review of development plans is included in the incentive package. In 2019 the city also created its Infill Sites Program which aims to make infill easier by revising its policies and regulations to streamline the development permit process, improve infrastructure in priority infill areas, and offer financial assistance to qualifying development projects. The City has also waived City fees for multi-family housing and affordable housing, adopting zero-dollar fees.
Last Updated: December 2021
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
The city's 2020 Sacramento Bicycle Master Plan establishes a 7% bicycle mode share target for commuting. The Mayors Commission on Climate Change, launched in November 2018, recommends 30% of all trips are by active transportation modes by 2030 and 30% of all trips are by transit and pooled shared mobility by 2030.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
Sacramento does not track progress towards their mode shift target.
Complete Streets
The City Council adopted the Complete Street Policy on December 10, 2019. It formalized the City's intent to plan, design, and direct the construction and upgrades of streets to enable safer, more attractive, and comfortable access and travel for all roadway users.
Last Updated: December 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transportation entities that serve the City of Sacramento have received $127,430,435.80 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $120.56 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 Sacramento Transit Connectivity Index value is 6.3, scoring 0.5 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: December 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
The Sacramento Municipal Utilities District (SMUD) introduced a new program in 2021 that offers up to $1,500 instant rebate on the purchase or lease of a new plug-in electric vehicle.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
The City offers free charging at approximately 100 charge-points at City-owned parking garages and facilities and discounts monthly parking customers 50% if they drive an EV. The Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District also offers various incentive programs for infrastructure and vehicles.
EV Charging Locations
The City has 619 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 120.5 ports per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
In 2017 the Twin Rivers Unified School District Transportation Department (located within the City of Sacramento) was the first school district in the nation to deploy these zero-emission electric school buses. To date they have 40 electric buses and 37 compressed natural gas buses in our fleet. This is the largest electric school bus fleet in the nation. The future fleet will completely consist of alternative fuel vehicles.
EV Transit Bus Goal
The Sacramento Regional Transit District (SacRT) has adopted a Zero-Emission Bus Rollout Plan which will transition SacRT’s bus fleet to 100% zero-emission by 2040. SacRT has also piloted SmaRT Ride, an on-demand micro-transit service in Sacramento providing mobility within the community and first-mile/last-mile connections to major destinations and transit routes, with 3 EV shuttles in service. Additionally, the "Causeway Connection" is comprised of 12 electric buses linked riders between Davis and Sacramento.
Last Updated: December 2021
Freight System EfficiencyList All
The city's 2035 General Plan established Mobility goals for Safe Movement of Goods including efficient goods movement, minimizing freight train usage during peak hours, and the creation of designated truck traffic routes.
Last Updated: December 2021
Clean, Efficient Transportation for Low-Income CommunitiesList All
Affordable New TOD Housing Policy
Sacramento's Central City Specific Plan sets goals on several fronts and makes provisions for increased affordable housing and minimizing residential displacement. City Council adopted the new roadway and land use network standards for the City's General Plan, which includes allowing up to four units on single family lots.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
Clean Cars 4 All is a Sacramento Metro Air District program to help income-qualified residents buy a zero or near zero emission car. The City also requires at least 20% of carshare and shared rideable programs be located in disadvantaged communities.
Last Updated: December 2021
Energy & Water Utilities
Score: 10.5 out of 15 points
Energy & Water Utilities Summary List All
Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is Sacramento’s municipally-run electric utility. Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E), an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary gas utility for the City of Sacramento. In the State of California, the municipally-run utilities are not required to meet the state EERS targets, but instead set their own energy efficiency targets. In 2021, California regulators updated state energy efficiency policies to focus on reducing carbon emissions. The state’s new rule rules value efficiency as a grid and decarbonization resource, encourage utilities to offer more programs that primarily serve communities of color and low-income residents, and encourage workforce development programs. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the California page of the State Database.
The Sacramento Department of Utilities is the municipal utility that provides drinking water and stormwater management services to the City of Sacramento. The Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District is the regional utility that provides wastewater treatment for Sacramento.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, SMUD reported 96,534 MWh in net electric incremental savings, representing 0.95% of retail sales. In 2019, SMUD spent $36,459,000 on electric energy efficiency programs, which represents 2.62% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, PG&E reported 27.64 MMtherms of net natural gas savings at the meter, which represents 1.40% of its retail sales across the utility’s service territory. In 2019, PG&E spent $69,359,099 on natural gas energy efficiency, which equates to $16.19 per residential customer. These savings figures cover the entire California service territory, not just Sacramento.
SMUD offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and commercial/industrial customers. PG&E similarly offers natural gas efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and commercial customers.
At this time, the City of Sacramento does not have a formal partnership with PG&E 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
SMUD’s low-income energy efficiency programs include weatherization, deep home retrofits, solar bundle installations coupled with energy efficiency, and energy efficiency products for apartments and single-family, and tenant mobile homes. SMUD partners with local community agency advocates and government agencies to educate and promote their programs.
In 2019, according to SMUD, it achieved 3,950 MWh in electric energy savings, while spending $10,320,184 on its low-income programs, and served 6,657 low-income customers across its service territory.
PG&E offers the Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA) to qualified low-income residential customers. The program provides in-home energy education, and direct installation of weatherization and hot water measures, lighting efficiency upgrades, HVAC tune-ups, smart power strips, and refrigerator recycling/replacement at no charge in order to reduce energy consumption in low-income households. The program provides health and safety measures such as the repair and replacement of water heaters and furnaces and minor home repairs. This program is implemented statewide by investor-owned utilities under the direction of the California Public Utilities Commission. It leverages the federal Weatherization Assistance Program, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, and Low-Income Weatherization Program offerings.
The ESA Program’s objective is to assist income-qualified customers to reduce their energy consumption and costs while increasing their health, comfort and safety. PG&E has also administered the California Alternate Rates for Energy (CARE) program to qualifying customers since 1989. The CARE program provides a monthly discount on energy bills for qualifying single-family residential households, tenants of sub-metered residential facilities, non-profit group living facilities, agricultural employee housing facilities, and migrant farmworker housing centers throughout PG&E’s service area.
The California Public Utilities Commission (CAPUC) strongly encourages utilities to leverage funds for low-income energy efficiency and weatherization. PG&E’s ESA Program leverages water agency, Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP), Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), and Low Income Weatherization Program (LIWP) funding through individually negotiated agreements with the other agencies.
In 2019, PG&E achieved 0.47 MMtherms in natural gas low-income program savings, while spending $50,711,276 on its natural gas low-income programs and serving 7,877 natural gas customers across its service territory.
Multifamily Programs
SMUD offers a custom incentive program designed for multifamily properties with 5 units or more to support switching from gas to electric space heating, water heating, and cooking appliances. Properties with more than 50% of tenant participating in SMUD’s Energy Assistance Program may qualify for additional incentives. Spending, savings, and customer data for SMUD’s multifamily programs were not available for 2019.
PG&E offers the California New Homes Multifamily Program, Multifamily Upgrade Program, and Multifamily Cooling Optimizer Program. California New Homes Multifamily Program provides support and incentives for multifamily new construction projects to encourage builders to exceed California’s Title 24 energy efficiency standards. The Multifamily Upgrade Program promotes and facilitates energy-efficient retrofits of existing multifamily buildings” through technical support and incentives. The Multifamily Cooling Optimizer Program is a direct install program focused on HVAC measures in tenant spaces. PG&E also implements the Energy Savings Assistance Program (ESA) for income-qualified multifamily customers.
In 2019, PG&E achieved energy savings of 3,587 MWh and 0.23 MMtherms, while spending $6,333,028 on its electric and natural gas multifamily programs, respectively. PG&E served 3,322 electric housing units at 26 multifamily properties. PG&E served 3,594 natural gas housing units at 27 multifamily properties.
Last Updated: July 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
PG&E's Building Benchmarking Portal provides aggregate whole-building energy usage data in their ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager to building owners. PG&E uses the Green Button data sharing platform for electricity data only. The utility provides automatic data entry into Portfolio Manager if given written consent by the customer. SMUD provides automated benchmarking through ENERGY STAR for multifamily buildings with 20 units or more and for multitenant commercial buildings.
The city of Sacramento provides community wide energy usage information for planning and evaluation purposes through their community-wide inventory which will form the baseline for creating new energy programs for the residential and nonresidential sectors. SMUD provides community-wide energy usage upon request. Generally, this information is provided annually in conjunction with General Planning and/or Climate Action annual reports and more robust data is provided approximately every 5 years as local plans and GHG baselines are updated. PG&E provides non-confidential, aggregated energy usage data to the public through its Energy Data Request Program. Energy data is publicly released on a monthly basis at the ZIP code level, with significant redaction or further aggregation as needed to comply with California energy data privacy regulations.
The City of Sacramento 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 2018, SMUD adopted an Integrated Resource Plan with a target of carbon neutrality by 2030. In 2020, the SMUD Board of Directors adopted a climate emergency declaration that commits to working towards an goal of delivering carbon neutral electricity by 2030. To achieve this goal of carbon neutrality by 2030, SMUD will need to reduce emissions by 8.33% annually from 2018 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
In 2019, SMUD emitted 3.15 metric tons of CO2e per capita.
Last Updated: July 2021
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals
Sacramento provides rebates for water-efficient sprinkler systems, toilets, and clothes washers, and employs Water Wise conservation specialists to identify home and business water savings opportunities. Additionally, the Department of Utilities is in the process of upgrading the city’s meters to smart water meters. The Department of Utilities offers no-cost water leak assistance repair services and installation of water efficient fixtures to low-income homeowners through the Leak Free Sacramento Program. PG&E also offers rebates for high-efficiency commercial dishwashers.
The City of Sacramento has set a goal to achieve a 20% reduction in per capita water consumption by the year 2020 below its 1996-2005 baseline or use less than 225 GPCD. Through the end of 2017, the City remains on track to meet this target.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
At this point, SRCSD, the wastewater utility for the city, has not adopted a comprehensive energy management strategy. However, the City’s 2035 General Plan has set the goal for city facilities to use 25% less energy than 2005 levels by 2030, which affects the water utility. Sacramento is a founder member of the Water-Energy Nexus Registry which was recently launched by the California Environmental Protection Agency and The Climate Registry. The registry helps water agencies and utilities better understand the energy and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the water management and treatment processes.
SRCSD, in partnership with Carson Energy, operates an on-site cogeneration plant at the Sacramento regional wastewater treatment plant in Elk Grove. The cogeneration plant is partly fueled by the biogas produced by the treatment plant’s digesters. The Sacramento Regional Wastewater Treatment Plant harnesses methane from its treatment process.
Last Updated: August 2021
Local Government Score:
4.5 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
The City of Sacramento incorporated climate and energy action into the city’s 2035 General Plan. The city also formally adopted the 2016 update to the Climate Action Plan for Internal Operations.
Climate Mitigation Goal
Action Item Environmental Resources 6.1.6 of the 2035 General Plan establishes a goal to reduce municipal greenhouse gas emissions by 83% below 2005 levels by 2050, with interim reduction goals of 22% below 2005 levels by 2020 and 49% below 2005 levels by 2035. The Climate Action Plan for Internal Operations claims that Sacramento achieved municipal emissions reductions that exceed the city’s 2020 goals. 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
Sacramento aims to reduce local government energy use 30% from 2005 levels by 2030.
Renewable Energy Goal
We did not find information regarding a municipal renewable energy goal.
Last updated: June 2021
Procurement and Construction Policies List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
Sacramento’s City Fleet Sustainability Policy was updated in December 2017 to include a 50% alternative fuel goal and zero-emission vehicle commitments. In December 2017, Sacramento City Council adopted an Electric Vehicle Strategy, which sets targets for transportation electrification by 2025, including 75,000 zero-emission vehicles. Sacramento established a zero-emission vehicle first commitment and set requirements for minimum annual light-duty purchases to be 50% ZEV by 2018 and 75% ZEV by 2020. Sacramento’s fleet management has gained national recognition for its green fleet efforts, including high ranking in 100 Best Fleets, Leading Fleets, and Government Green Fleet Awards. Such practices have led to an 18% reduction in total vehicles, 3.69% reduction in total fuel consumption, and 1.97% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions as of 2020. ACEEE could not verify Sacramento’s current fleet composition, but the city has procured 57 zero-emission vehicles.
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. However, California has adopted lighting standards. Sacramento has installed LEDs in all traffic signals. The City has upgraded approximately one-third of the streetlights to LEDs and are planning to complete the rest in the near future, which will save 11 million KWF annually.
Onsite and offsite renewable systems
Sacramento operates over 4 MW of solar photovoltaics at city facilities.
Inclusive procurement
We were unable to find information indicating that the city has inclusive procurement and contracting processes.
Last updated: June 2021
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
Sacramento annually benchmarks city facilities, accounting for approximately 92% of square footage.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategies
Sacramento's Climate Action Plan states that the city shall promote the retrofitting of existing structures with green building technologies and practices. The City’s Energy Efficiency Retrofits program for City facilities is designed to provide better facility systems performance with higher efficiencies, resulting in reduced energy costs and maximizing return on investment. The current and future program builds on past success and partnerships with SMUD in greening the City’s facilities. By identifying cost-effective improvements to existing facilities in heating/cooling, lighting, pumping systems, and other facility components, the City can both reduce energy usage and GHG emissions in a cost-effective manner. The City also has an Energy Reinvestment Program, which focuses on energy-reducing and clean energy projects at City-owned facilities. Measure U funding will be utilized to update current lighting with higher-quality LED lighting and controls that save energy, reduce maintenance costs, and will provide enhanced lighting quality at community centers, clubhouses, and Sacramento Libraries. The City of Sacramento contracted with Siemens to conduct an Investment Grade Audit of multiple city facilities. In 2017, the City secured $1.5 million to implement retrofit recommendations through a phased approach using a SMUD program. In 2019, Sacramento completed retrofits in over 40 municipal buildings. The City's energy reinvestment fund provides a dedicated source of funding to invest in efficiency projects.
Last updated: June 2021