St. Petersburg
City Scorecard Rank
51
St. Petersburg, FL
25.50Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 4.5 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Summary List All
The City of St. Petersburg adopted the Integrated Sustainability Action Plan (ISAP) in April 2019.
Last updated: September 2021
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The ISAP includes a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 80% 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
We did not find information regarding a community-wide energy reduction goal for the city.
Renewable Energy Goal
St. Petersburg has adopted a goal to use 100% renewable electricity by 2035.
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
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: September 2021
Mitigation of Heat Islands List All
UHI Mitigation Goal
The ISAP includes goals to achieve no net loss of wetlands, streams, or shoreline buffers; maintain natural resource acreage at 20 acres per 1,000 residents or 11.5% of total land area; ensure 85% of the city’s population lives within 1/3-mile of green infrastructure.
UHI Policies and Programs
St. Petersburg has adopted a private tree protection ordinance.
The city also banned any alterations of wetlands, excluding restoration projects. The city requires developments that destroy wetlands to create a new wetland that is at least twice the size of the previous wetland.
Last updated: September 2021
Buildings Policies
Score: 6.5 out of 30 points
Buildings Summary List All
The City of St. Petersburg enforces the state’s building energy codes. The city offers several incentives for energy efficiency projects. We could not find information on city-mandated benchmarking policies or above-code energy action requirements.
Last Update: June 2021
Building Energy CodesList All
State of Florida law requires that residential and commercial buildings comply with the 7th Edition Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation. The 7th Edition Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation is based on the 2018 IECC with amendments. The state bars cities from adoption codes more stringent than the state codes. The city advocates for more stringent state energy codes. To learn more about Florida’s building energy codes, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial construction must comply with the Florida Building Code. The city’s zEPI score for its commercial energy code is 52.5.
Residential
Residential construction must comply with the Florida Building Code. The city’s zEPI score for its residential energy code is 60.7.
Solar-readiness policies
We could not find information on whether the city has adopted a solar-ready policy.
EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies
We could not find information on whether the city has adopted policies requiring buildings to include EV-charging infrastructure or be EV-ready.
Low-energy use requirements
St. Petersburg requires new municipal buildings to achieve above-code standards.
Last Update: August 2021
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
St. Petersburg requires plan reviews for residential and commercial projects. 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 Update: June 2021
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Incentives
Commercial and residential construction permit applications are eligible for a partial refund of permit fees if the building receives a green building certification. Residential buildings must meet all requirements of the Green Home Designation Standard of the Florida Green Building Coalition to receive a $300.00 refund. Commercial buildings but meet all requirements of USGBC LEED standard to receive a $1,000 refund. The city has also partnered with Duke Energy who offers free home energy checks and rebates for residents.
St. Petersburg supports the Solar and Energy Loan (SELF) Program that offers loans to residents for energy efficiency measures and solar-PV.
The city supports Solar United Neighbors (SUN) in providing solar co-ops to bring down the cost through bulk-purchasing power.
Voluntary programs
The city launched the Building Energy Benchmarking Pilot in 2020.
Last Update: September 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 update: June 2021
Transportation
Score: 7 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
St. Petersburg's Comprehensive Plan, last updated in 2016, includes strategies to reduce GHG emissions from transportation.
VMT/GHG Targets and Stringency
St. Petersburg does not have a VMT/GHG target in place for the transportation sector.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
St. Petersburg does not track progress towards a VMT/GHG target.
Last Updated: December 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
St. Petersburg zoning code promotes the creation of mixed-use development throughout the city.
Residential Parking Policies
The city’s parking code requires 1 space for units with up to 2 bedrooms; plus 0.5 for each additional bedroom.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
We could not confirm if St. Petersburg has location efficiency incentives or disclosure requirements.
Last Updated: December 2021
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
The city’s modal share targets specify a maximum for drive-alone travel of 60%, a minimum of 25% for bike, walk, and Transit minimum: 25%.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
St. Petersburg does not track progress towards its mode shift target.
Complete Streets
St. Petersburg has a Complete Streets and Implementation Plan.
Last Updated: December 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transportation entities that serve the City of St. Petersburg have received $58,809,359.00 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $54.66 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 St. Petersburg Transit Connectivity Index value is 5.6, scoring 0.5 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: December 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
We could not confirm if St. Petersburg offers incentives for citizens to purchase hybrid, plug-in, or EV vehicles.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
We could not confirm if St. Petersburg offers incentives for the installing of EV charging infrastructure.
EV Charging Locations
The City has 80 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 30.1 ports per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
St. Petersburg does not have an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
St. Petersburg does not have an EV transit bus goal.
Last Updated: December 2021
Freight System EfficiencyList All
St. Petersburg 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
St. Petersburg does not have any requirements or incentives in place to encourage the development or preservation of affordable housing in transit-served areas.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
St. Petersburg does not provide any subsidies for efficient transportation options to low-income residents.
Last Updated: December 2021
Energy & Water Utilities
Score: 3 out of 15 points
Energy & Water Utilities Summary List All
Duke Energy Florida, an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric utility for the City of St. Petersburg. The primary natural gas supplier for St. Petersburg is TECO Peoples Gas, an IOU. The State of Florida requires its utilities which post sales of 2,000 GWh or more to implement cost-effective energy efficiency programs and to conduct energy efficiency potential studies. Natural gas programs are required by orders and legislation. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Florida page of the State Database.
The St. Petersburg Water Resources Department is the municipal utility that provides the City of St. Petersburg with drinking water services, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, according to EIA, Duke Energy Florida reported 62,736 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 0.16% of its electric retail sales. In 2019, Duke Energy Florida spent $21,136,000 on electric energy efficiency programs, which represents 0.45% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, TECO Peoples Gas reported 0.65 MMtherms of net natural gas savings at the meter, which represents 0.65% of its retail sales across the utility’s service territory. In 2019, TECO Peoples Gas spent $16,619,336 on energy efficiency, which equates to $45.15 per residential customer. These savings and spending figures cover the entire jurisdiction of both utilities, not just the City of St. Petersburg.
Duke Energy Florida offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and business customers. TECO Peoples Gas similarly offers natural gas efficiency programs to residential and business customers.
The City of St. Petersburg has partnered with Duke Energy Florida informally in the past but will formalize a partnership in 2021.
Last Updated: August 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
Duke Energy Florida offers the Neighborhood Energy Saver program. Through this program, the utility identifies neighborhoods that meet the income eligibility requirements and installs energy efficiency measures directly in homes. These measures include LED light bulbs, insulation, duct repair, faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, weatherstripping, and HVAC tune-ups. The utility also partners on the Low Income Weatherization Assistance Program with weatherization agencies and other organizations like Habitat for Humanity to install energy efficiency measures in homes of customers who meet income eligibility requirements.
Duke Energy Florida’s savings, number of customers served, and spending value for its 2019 low-income program was not available.
At this time, TECO Peoples Gas does not provide energy efficiency programs targeted at low-income customers.
Multifamily Programs
Duke Energy Florida offers the Home Energy Check Multifamily Audit program and the Residential Incentive Program. After completing the audit program, customers can then qualify for Duke Energy’s incentives, such as ceiling insulation, heat pumps, and duct repair.
Duke Energy Florida’s savings, number of customers served, and spending value for its 2019 multifamily program were not available.
At this time, TECO Peoples Gas does not provide programs targeted at multifamily properties.
Last Updated: July 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Provision of Energy Data by Utilities
Neither Duke Energy Florida nor TECO Peoples Gas provides building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings. The City of St. Petersburg uses and publishes community-wide emissions data, using energy-use data, through its GHG inventory as well as planning documents.
The City of St. Petersburg 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: August 2021
Decarbonization and Climate Change Mitigation Efforts of Energy UtilitiesList All
Utility Climate Mitigation Goal
In September 2019, Duke Energy set a goal to reduce carbon emissions by at least 50% by 2030 from 2005 levels, with a goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To achieve a 50% reduction by 2030, Duke Energy will need to reduce emissions by 2.5% annually from 2019 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
St. Petersburg's Clean Energy Roadmap emphasizes Duke Energy Florida's needed role in transitioning towards renewable energy resources, including state and utility-specific recommendations to help them transition to clean energy production. The city also signed on as an early adopter of the Duke Clean Energy Connection program. St. Petersburg staff meets regularly with Duke Energy staff to discuss areas of common interest, including grid decarbonization. The city just signed an MOU with Duke outlining areas of collaboration, including decarbonization, and also regularly engages in utility commission dockets.
Last Updated: August 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 St. Petersburg has not established a water savings target or goal. However, it does offer some suggestions for conserving water and offers a water-saving program.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
St. Petersburg Water Resources Department has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies. However, it is part of the Better Buildings Initiative. The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy.
Last Updated: July 2021
Local Government Score:
4.5 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
The City of St. Petersburg has not adopted a municipal climate or sustainability action plan.
Climate Mitigation Goal
The city set a goal to reduce local government greenhouse gas emissions 80% below 2016 levels by 2050. ACEEE was unable to project if the city will achieve its near-term GHG emissions reduction goal for municipal operations because insufficient GHG emissions data were available for our analysis.
Energy Reduction Goal
We were unable to find information regarding a municipal energy reduction goal.
Renewable Energy Goal
St. Petersburg has a goal to use renewable energy to power 100% of city operations by 2035.
Last updated: June 2021
Procurement and Construction Policies List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
St. Petersburg has a Green Fleet Policy and the City’s fleet management department states that the fleet now includes hybrid vehicles. We were unable to find data regarding the fleet composition.
Public Lighting
St. Petersburg's lighting code sets regulations to conserve energy and minimize light pollution. Working with Duke Energy, the city has upgraded all city-leased streetlights to LEDs.
Onsite and offsite renewable systems
St. Petersburg has installed 1.186 MW of on-site solar capacity. The city has also entered into a lease agreement with Duke Energy to install solar panels on the City's pier.
Inclusive procurement
We were unable to verify if the City has inclusive procurement and contracting processes. St. Petersburg is currently conducting a disparity study.
Last updated: June 2021
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
St. Petersburg benchmarks all eligible municipal buildings using Portfolio Manager.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
Funding was approved by Mayor and City Council in 2016 for energy efficiency retrofits, with projects underway in 2018. According to the webpage of the City's Office of Sustainability & Resiliency, a partnership with USF Clean Energy Research Center was created to conduct initial energy efficiency and retrofit analysis to result in immediate retrofit projects. St. Pete uses utility billing data, along with building characteristics and equity considerations, to select sites for retrofits. Projects are funded through various streams, including the new $2 million revolving funds (Revolving Energy Investment Fund or REIF)
Last updated: June 2021