State and Local Policy Database

San Juan

City Scorecard Rank

93

San Juan, PR

7.00Scored 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 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.

Energy Data Reporting

The city does not report community-wide energy data.

Last updated: August 2020

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.

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: August 2020

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.

Last updated: August 2020

Adaptive Mitigation List All

UHI Mitigation Goal

We could not verify if the county has adopted a quantifiable urban heat island mitigation goal.

UHI Policies and Programs

We were unable to determine if the county has adopted specific policies or programs that incorporate requirements or incentives to mitigate the urban heat island effect. 

Last updated: August 2020

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

Buildings Policies
Score: 6 out of 30 points
Building Energy CodesList All

Overview

Puerto Rico allows its local jurisdictions to adopt building energy codes other than the state standards. Puerto Rico adopted the 2018  International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) with amendments

Commercial

San Juan enforces the state energy code. New Buildings Institute is unable to produce a zEPI score for San Juan because there are no available analyses comparing the city’s code to model energy codes.

Residential

San Juan enforces the state energy code. New Buildings Institute is unable to produce a zEPI score for San Juan because there are no available analyses comparing the city’s code to model energy codes.

Solar-readiness policies

The city has not adopted a policy mandating new construction be solar-ready.

EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies

The city has not adopted a policy mandating new construction be EV-ready.

Last updated: July 2021

Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All

The city requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify code compliance. We could not find information on the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.

Last updated: March 2020

Benchmarking, Rating, & Transparency List All

We could not find information on whether the city has adopted a mandatory benchmarking and disclosure policy for commercial and multifamily buildings.

Last updated: July 2021

Incentives and Financing for Efficient Buildings and Renewable EnergyList All

We could not find information on the number of incentives the city offers for energy efficiency, solar energy, and/or low-income energy improvement projects.

Last updated: July 2021

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: July 2021

Transportation
Score: 1 out of 30 points
Community Energy Infrastructure
Score: 0 out of 15 points
Community Energy Infrastructure Summary List All

Puerto Rico’s electricity is supplied by Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority (PREPA), a government agency that owns the electric distribution system for the main island, Vieques, and Culebra. Currently, PREPA does not offer energy efficiency programs to its customers. There are not regulatory mechanisms in place to incentivize investments in energy efficiency.  

Last updated: July 2021

Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All

In 2019, we were unable to verify energy efficiency program spending and savings for Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority.  

At this time, the City of San Juan does not have a formal partnership with Puerto Rico Electric Power Authority in the form of a jointly developed or administered energy saving strategy, plan, or agreement. 

Last update: July 2021

Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All

Low-Income Programs 

At this time, PREPA does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at low-income customers. 

Multifamily Programs 

At this time, PREPA does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at multifamily properties. 

Last Updated: July 2021  

Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All

PREPA does not provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings. The City of San Juan does not provide community-wide energy usage information at the aggregate level for community planning and evaluation purposes. The City of San Juan 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 Cities and Energy UtilitiesList All

Utility Climate Mitigation Goal  

At this time, PREPA does not have a carbon emissions target in place.   

City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid 

To our knowledge, the city of San Juan does not participate 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 

The energy and water utilities do not offer joint energy and water efficiency programs. At this point, the City of San Juan and its water utilities have 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, nor does the city’s water system self-generate its own energy. 

Last Updated: July 2021  

Local Government Score:
0 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 San Juan’s fleet procurement policies or fuel efficiency requirements. We were unable to find data regarding fleet composition.

Public lighting

We were unable to find information regarding the adoption of a policy requiring efficient outdoor lighting, such as the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance. We were unable to confirm if San Juan has an outdoor lighting upgrade program.

Onsite and offsite renewable systems

We were unable to find information regarding onsite or offsite renewable energy systems in San Juan.

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

We were unable to find information regarding San Juan’s benchmarking practices.

Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy

We were unable to find information regarding a comprehensive retrofit strategy in San Juan.

Last updated: June 2021