State and Local Policy Database

Springfield

City Scorecard Rank

49

Springfield, MA

26.00Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 2.5 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Summary List All

The City of Springfield adopted the Climate Action and Resilience Plan in 2017.

Last updated: September 2021

Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All

Climate Mitigation Goal

The Climate Action and Resilience Plan includes a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 2015 by 2050. 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.

Energy Reduction Goal

The Climate Action and Resilience Plan includes a goal to increase the rate of energy audits 20% by 2020 and complete 100% of the recommended residential work by 2025.

Renewable Energy Goal

The Climate Action and Resilience Plan includes a goal to use solar energy to meet 10% of community energy needs by 2022 and 50% by 2050.

Last updated: September 2021

Equity-Driven Approaches to Clean Energy Planning, Implementation, and EvaluationList All

Equity-Driven Community Engagement

Prior to developing the city’s Climate Action and Resilience Plan, Springfield conducted a vulnerability analysis to identify the city’s most at-risk communities. The city then conducted two out of three workshops in socially vulnerable communities to solicit input to be used towards development of the plan.

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 Climate Action and Resilience Plan has a goal to ensure 50% of all low-income utility accounts receive a 50% or greater discount from community solar projects by 2022.

Last updated: September 2021

Clean Distributed Energy ResourcesList All

The City of Springfield supported the creation of a community solar project by serving as an anchor subscriber to the project. The system will provide direct utility bill reductions to low-income households. 

Last updated: September 2021

Mitigation of Heat Islands List All

UHI Mitigation Goal

The Sustainability Plan includes a goal to plant 5,600 trees on public property and 5,400 trees on private property by 2022.

UHI Policies and Programs

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

Last updated: September 2021

Buildings Policies
Score: 8 out of 30 points
Buildings Summary List All

Springfield enforces the state energy code. The city offers one incentive program to promote energy efficiency in residential buildings. We could not find information on city mandated benchmarking policies or above-code energy action requirements.

Last updated: June 2021

Building Energy CodesList All

Overview

Massachusetts law requires statewide adoption of each new International Energy Conservation Code edition within one year of its publication. Massachusetts adopted the 2018 IECC for commercial and residential buildings. Massachusetts allows its local jurisdictions to upgrade their energy codes with a state-determined stretch code. 

Commercial

Springfield implements the State Building Code. The city’s zEPI score their commercial energy code is 44.2.

Residential

Springfield implements the State Building Code. The city’s zEPI score their commercial energy code is 48.9.

Solar-readiness policies

Massachusetts's Board of Building Regulations and Standards adopted solar-ready requirements for all new residential and commercial buildings 5 stories and under.

EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies

Springfield has not adopted EV-ready ordinances.

Last updated: June 2021

Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All

Springfield requires plan reviews, site inspections, and performance testing. 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 from the city. Massachusetts’s Department of Energy Resources administers the Mass Save Program, which offers education and training on the state’s stretch-code, as well as in-person and online support. 

Last updated: August 2021

Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All

Incentives

The Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP) provides eligible households with home energy conservation services. Households that are eligible for weatherization services. Homeowners and tenants with their landlord’s permission are eligible.  

Last updated: June 2021

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: June 2021

Transportation
Score: 6 out of 30
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All

Sustainable Transportation Plan

The Springfield Climate Action & Resilience Plan (2017) addresses the communities transportation needs and outlines several strategies for addressing them, such as pursuing a strong complete streets policy, introducing a bikeshare, establishing a TDM coordinator, and revisiting the city's parking requirements. 

VMT/GHG Target and Stringency

The City of Springfield does not yet have a codified VMT reduction target.

Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets

The City of Springfield is not yet tracking community GHG or VMT levels

Last Updated: December 2021

Location Efficiency List All

Location Efficient Zoning 

Springfield's zoning code establishes several overlay districts some of which are oriented towards compact mixed-use development. 

Residential Parking Requirements

Most of the city has a 1 parking space or more per unit requirement depending on the use category. 

Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosures

No data or the city is not pursuing. 

Last Updated: December 2021

Mode Shift List All

Mode Shift Target 

While the Springfield Climate Action and Resilience Plan addresses the importance of mode shift and diversifying mode share, there is no codified mode share target. 

Progress Toward Mode Shift Target

No progress has been achieved, as there are no targets in place.

Complete Streets

The city of Springfield has a complete streets policy.

Last Updated: December 2021

Public Transit List All

Transportation Funding

The transportation entities that serve the City of Springfield have received $16,509,166.20 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $29.93 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 Springfield Transit Connectivity Index value is 6.9, scoring 0.5 points in the City Scorecard.

Last Updated: December 2021

Efficient VehiclesList All

Vehicle Purchase Incentives

EV purchase incentives are available to Springfield residents through Mass Energy, the Massachusetts Electric Vehicle Incentive Program, and the Massachusetts Department of Energy Resources. 

Incentives for EV Charging Stations

While there are state level incentives for the installation of EVcharging infrastructure, Springfield itself does not offer any. 

EV Infrastructure

The City has 53 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 34.5 ports per 100,000 people.

Electric School Bus Goal

Springfield does not have an electric school bus goal.

EV Transit Bus Goal

Springfield does not have an EV transit bus goal.

Last Updated: December 2021

Freight System EfficiencyList All

Springfield does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.

Last Updated: December 2021

Clean, Efficient Transportation for Low-Income CommunitiesList All

Affordable New TOD Housing Policy 

Springfield does not have any policies in place to address or help encourage affordable TOD housing development. 

Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options

Neither the City of Springfield nor the transit authority that services the city's residents provide rebates or incentives that better connect low-income residents to efficient transportation options. 

Last Updated: December 2021

Energy & Water Utilities
Score: 9.5 out of 15 points
Energy & Water Utilities Summary List All

Eversource, an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric utility serving Springfield. Columbia Gas of Massachusetts is also an IOU and is Springfield’s primary gas utility. The Commonwealth of Massachusetts requires spending and savings targets for its utilities through an EERS. In 2021, Massachusetts passed new climate change legislation that sets new goals for emissions reductions and sets a path to net-zero emissions by 2050, while also increasing protections for Environmental Justice communities and procuring offshore wind energy by 2027. To learn more about utility policies and programs for the entire Commonwealth of Massachusetts, please visit the State Policy Database

The Springfield Water and Sewer Commission is the municipal utility that provides the City of Springfield with drinking water services, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management. 

Last Updated: July 2021   

Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All

In 2019, Eversource reported 520,514 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 2.22% of its electric retail sales across the utility’s entire service jurisdiction, not only Springfield. In 2019, Eversource spent $283,065,149 on electric energy efficiency programs, which represents 10.20% of its electric retail revenue. 

In 2019, Columbia Gas of Massachusetts reported savings of 2.93 MMtherms from residential natural gas efficiency programs, representing 0.89% of its natural gas retail sales. In 2019, CSU spent $54,454,856 on residential energy efficiency, which equates to $776.52 per residential customer. These savings and spending figures cover Columbia Gas of Massachusett's entire service jurisdiction, not just the City of Springfield.  

Eversource offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and commercial/industrial customers. Columbia Gas similarly offers natural gas efficiency tips and incentives to residential and business customers. 

While no formal partnership exists between the City of Springfield and its utilities, Columbia Gas often works directly with the City to complete energy efficiency projects on city-owned buildings and schools. The utility recently held a “Main Street” day for small businesses, and the City assisted in promoting the event. The City’s emphasis on energy efficiency and reducing energy consumption encourages participation and supports the goals of the utility’s energy efficiency program. 

Last Updated: July 2021 

Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All

Low-Income Programs 

The state of Massachusetts is served by the Low-Income Energy Affordability Network (LEAN), which is a network of Community Action Agencies, public and private housing owners, government organizations and public utilities that work together to provide low-income efficiency solutions in the state. Through LEAN, Eversource and Columbia Gas of Massachusetts participate in the dual fuel Income Eligible Coordinated Delivery Core Initiative (formerly Low-Income Single Family and Low-Income Multi-Family), which serves customers at or below 60% of the state median income level for 1–4-unit buildings or buildings with 5+ units that have 50% of units are at or below 60% AMI. The initiative offers no cost measures such as lighting and smart strips, appliance replacement, water saving measures, insulation and air sealing, and heating system replacement.  

The program serves all income eligible customers that meet the program guidelines. Customers typically qualify for fuel assistance and other qualifying government assistance programs and the utility Discount Rate. Customers with a high WAP score and high energy burden are given priority. The initiative is implemented by local Community Action Program (CAP) Agencies and is integrated with the Department of Housing and Community Development’s (DHCD) Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP). There is also a statewide Energy Efficiency Advisory Council and an Income Eligible Best Practices Committee that provide guidance on income eligible utility-sponsored programs in the state.  

Customers typically qualify for fuel assistance and other qualifying government assistance programs and the utility Discount Rate. Customers with a high WAP score and high energy burden are given priority. CAP agencies leverage additional funding from the Department of Energy and DHCD for heating systems and health and safety repairs. CAPs leverage utility funds and WAP funds for repairs of health and safety measures such as knob and tube removal, asbestos removal, combustion safety, mold and moisture remediation, roof repair, pest remediation and others. Additionally, the City of Boston Credit Union became a Mass Save HEAT Loan Participating Lender by offering customers the opportunity to apply for 0% loans for the installation of qualified energy efficient improvements. 

In 2019, according to Eversource, it achieved 19,307 MWh in energy savings, while spending $32,043,930 on its low-income programs and serving 15,825 low-income customers. Data on spending, savings, and customers served for Columbia Gas of Massachusetts in 2019 was not available.  

Multifamily Programs 

Eversource offers a Residential Coordinated Delivery initiative, which includes services to single-family homes, including free-standing town homes, smaller multi-unit buildings, such as those with three stories or less, and larger multi-unit buildings, such as those with four stories or more, or with a centralized heating system. It offers energy assessments that identify all cost-effective efficiency improvement or replacement opportunities regardless of fuel source for market rate properties with four or more dwellings. Utilizing a “whole facility” approach, the assessments focus on a facility's thermal envelope (shell insulation and air leakage conditions) as well as lighting and mechanical systems. The program also assesses in-unit savings potential for tenants. Improvements that may be eligible for incentives include lighting upgrades/controls, occupancy sensors, water heating equipment, domestic hot water measures, programmable thermostats, insulation, air sealing, heating and cooling equipment upgrades/controls, ENERGY STAR appliances and other improvements as determined on a site-specific basis. Eligible measures for the program include insulation, air sealing, light fixtures, and hot water and heating equipment, as well as heating and cooling equipment, air compressors, and energy management systems. 

In 2019, according to Eversource, it achieved 17,977 MWh in energy savings, while spending $16,845,601 on its multifamily programs and served 13,900 housing units. 

Columbia Gas of Massachusetts offers a Multifamily Buildings program, which provides whole building retrofits and partial payment for energy efficiency measure to units. Eligible measures include insulation, heating system replacement, air sealing, showerheads, and aerators. Savings, spending, and participation data for 2019 was not available. 

Last Updated: July 2021  

Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All

Eversource supports customer use of the Portfolio Manager platform, including assisting customers with collecting proper data and entering facility information, including the creation of ‘virtual meters’ within the tool to create whole-building data views.  

Eversource provides community wide energy usage information for planning and evaluation purposes through the state’s energy data dashboard. Eversource publishes energy consumption aggregated to the municipal level to a publicly available dashboard in Massachusetts and the data is updated annually. 

The City of Springfield 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 2019, Eversource Energy set a company-wide goal to reach carbon neutrality by 2030. To achieve this goal, Eversource Energy will need to reduce emissions by 9.09% annually from 2019 levels. 

City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid 

In 2019, the Town of West Springfield, part of the Springfield metropolitan statistical area, launched the West Springfield Community Choice Power Supply Program, which is an opt-out program that provides clean energy to the local community. NextEra Energy Services was selected as the supplier of the Program.  

Last Updated: July 2021  

Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All

Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals 

The energy and water utilities do not currently offer joint energy and water efficiency programs, but Columbia Gas of Massachusetts does offer water efficiency measures in its energy efficiency programs. In 2018, water efficiency measures saved 33,227,757 annual gallons. The City of Springfield has not yet established a water savings target or goal but does offer water saving tips online. 

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: July 2021  

Local Government Score:
0 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All

Climate Mitigation Goal

Springfield does not have a climate mitigation or greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal for municipal operations.

Energy Reduction Goal

We were unable to find information regarding a municipal energy reduction goal.

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 Springfield’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 Springfield 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 Springfield.

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 Springfield’s benchmarking practices.

Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy

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

Last updated: June 2021