Tampa
City Scorecard Rank
32
Tampa, FL
33.50Scored out of 100Updated 5/2017
Local Government Score:
1.5 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
The City of Tampa has not adopted a municipal climate or sustainability action plan, but the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan includes broad energy and climate-related actions.
Climate Mitigation Goal
The city does not have a climate mitigation or greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal for municipal operations.
Energy Reduction Goal
We did not find information regarding a municipal energy reduction goal.
Renewable Energy Goal
Tampa set a goal to use renewable energy to power 25% of city operations by 2025.
Last updated: March 2019
Procurement and Construction List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
We were unable to find information on procurement policies or fuel efficiency requirements for fleet vehicles in Tampa. The City’s fleet is composed of 2% efficient vehicles, including hybrid and battery electric vehicles.
Public Lighting
Tampa has not yet adopted a policy requiring efficient outdoor lighting, such as the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance. A policy in Tampa’s Comprehensive Plan (Policy 40.1.7) calls for Tampa to pursue energy-saving options for exterior lighting of municipal buildings. Nevertheless, there are no formal efficiency focused lighting replacement programs in place in this city.
Green Building Requirements
Ordinance 17.5-203 requires all new construction of municipal buildings of at least 5,000 square feet to be built to LEED Silver standards. Renovations of existing municipal buildings must incorporate building materials recognized by the U.S. Green Building Council for their sustainable qualities and recycled products whenever possible.
Last updated: March 2019
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking and Retrofitting
We were unable to find information regarding Tampa’s benchmarking practices or retrofit strategies.
Public Workforce Commuting
We did not find information on a policy aimed at reducing commutes of city employees, such as flexible schedules or telework.
Last updated: March 2019
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 5 out of 12 points
Community-Wide Summary List All
The City of Tampa does not have a sustainability or climate action plan; however, the city adopted a Green Resolution, releases Annual Sustainability Reports, and published an Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan.
Last updated: March 2019
Climate Action and Energy Planning GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The city has a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2025, as stated in the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan.
Energy Reduction Goal
The Energy Efficiency and Conservation Plan includes a 2025 goal to reduce energy use 38.6% below a business-as-usual projection.
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: March 2019
Equitable Climate Action and Energy Planning List All
Equitable Community Outreach
The city did not increase its outreach to marginalized groups relative to other city constituencies in the planning and implementation of a local energy, sustainability, or climate action plan.
Equitable Decision-Making
The city has not created a formal role for local organizations representing low-income or communities of color to participate in decision-making that affects the creation or implementation of a local energy, sustainability, or climate action plan.
Accountability to Equity
The city has not established goals or published methods for tracking how energy, sustainability, or climate action initiatives are reversing any ongoing actions that disadvantage marginalized residents.
Last updated: March 2019
Clean Distributed Energy SystemsList 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: March 2019
Mitigation of Urban Heat Islands List All
The city’s Urban Forest Management Plan includes a goal of no net loss of tree canopy cover for the entire city and has also established individual neighborhood tree canopy goals for each of the city’s municipal districts.
The city has adopted a private tree protection ordinance. The city also allows for cluster residential subdivision zoning that permanently protect land alongside dense residential development patterns as part of its Site Plan Zoning District Procedures Ordinance.
Last updated: March 2019
Buildings Policies
Score: 12 out of 28 points
Buildings Summary List All
The City of Tampa enforces the state’s energy codes. The city has not adopted a mandatory benchmarking and disclosure policy. Tampa offers several incentives for energy efficiency projects. The city does not require building owners conduct additional above-code energy-saving actions.
Last Updated: March 2019
Stringency of Energy CodesList All
Overview
State of Florida law requires that residential and commercial buildings comply with the 6th Edition Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation. The 6th Edition Florida Building Code, Energy Conservation is based on the 2015 IECC with amendments. The state bars cities from adoption codes more stringent than the state codes. To learn more about Florida’s building energy codes, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial construction in Tampa complies with the Florida codes. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 53.4. Tampa has not yet begun advocating for increased stringency in commercial building energy codes.
Residential
Residential construction in Tampa complies with the Florida codes. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 60.7. Tampa has not yet begun advocating for increased stringency in residential building energy codes.
Solar- and EV-ready
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction be solar- and/or EV-ready.
Last Update: March 2019
Building Energy Code Enforcement and ComplianceList All
Tampa does not have any full time employees solely dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city does not require plan reviews, site inspections, nor performance testing as a means of compliance verification. Tampa offers upfront support for energy code compliance through energy code workshops.
Last Updated: March 2019
Incentives and Financing for Efficient Buildings and Renewable EnergyList All
Tampa offers three incentives for energy efficiency projects.
Tampa offers expedited plan review for commercial construction that includes provisions for energy efficiency. Rebates are available to residential and commercial construction achieving the LEED standards. Homes built to the Florida Green Building Coalition standards also receive a rebate.
Last Updated: March 2019
Required Energy ActionsList All
Tampa has not adopted a policy requiring building owners to conduct additional above-code energy-saving actions.
Last Update: March 2019
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: March 2019
Energy & Water Utilities
Score: 7 out of 20 points
Energy & Water Utilities Summary List All
Tampa Electric Company (TECO), an investor-owned utility (IOU) is the primary electric utility serving the City of Tampa. TECO Peoples Gas, an IOU, is Tampa’s primary natural gas utility. 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 City of Tampa Water Department is the municipal utility that provides drinking water, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management services to the City of Tampa.
Last Updated: March 2019
Electric & Gas Energy Efficiency Programs and SavingsList All
In 2017, according to TECO, they achieved 33,777 MWh in net incremental savings, representing 0.18% of retail sales. In 2017, TECO Peoples Gas did not report savings on natural gas efficiency programs. These figures cover the entire Florida service territory, not just Tampa. TECO offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and commercial/industrial customers. TECO Peoples Gas similarly offers natural gas efficiency programs to residential and business customers.
TECO and Hillsborough County School Board (HCSB) have joint energy efficiency goals. TECO and the HCSB have been collaborating to install thermal energy storage units, lighting retrofit upgrades, chiller units and solar window film. TECO and the HCSB meet monthly to discuss billing & usage patterns, potential energy projects, and conservation programs that could help support implementing energy projects and meeting their energy goals.
TECO and the City of Tampa also have shared energy efficiency goals. The City of Tampa has an internal computer-aided tool they use to monitor controls and optimize performance of their electric operations. TECO’s Account Management team works closely with the City to ensure all their energy needs are addressed. The assigned account manager work as a liaison collaborating energy audits and promoting all conservation programs available.
Last Updated: March 2019
Renewable Energy Efforts of Energy UtilitiesList All
Renewable Energy Incentives
In 2017, TECO did not provide renewable energy incentives for the construction of new distributed solar or wind systems.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
At this time, we cannot confirm if city of Tampa participates 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: March 2019
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
Tampa Electric Co. offers the Neighborhood Weatherization Program to qualified low-income residential customers. This program provides energy-efficient installations at no cost to the customer, and includes duct sealing, caulking, insulation, lighting fixtures, water heater wrap, water efficiency measures, and energy efficiency education materials, amongst others. The program targets high energy users and elderly households, and also streamlines implementation with the federal Weatherization Assistance Program. Tampa Electric participates with several civic and local organizations including Hillsborough County Neighborhood Service Centers, Rebuild Together Tampa Bay, and Paint Your Heart Out Tampa Bay.
In 2017, according to Tampa Electric Co., it achieved 6,377 MWh in energy savings from its low-income programs, while serving 6,550 low-income customers.
At this time, TECO Peoples Gas does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at low-income customers.
Multifamily Programs
Tampa Electric Co. offers the ENERGY STAR for New Multifamily Residence program, which serves residential new construction projects by aiming to reduce growth of peak demand and energy. The program was implemented in May of 2017 and the program has yet to have participation.
At this time, TECO Peoples Gas does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at multifamily properties.
Last Updated: March 2019
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
If requested, TECO will provide Tampa’s building managers with automatic benchmarking data for use in Portfolio Manager. At this time, the City of Tampa does not advocate to the state for improvements in data provision by the utilities.
Last Updated: March 2019
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
City-wide water efficiency and goals
The City of Tampa offers water efficiency programs independently of the energy utilities, such as water audits, plumbing fixture retrofits, rain sensors, irrigation system efficiency check-ups and other programs. These programs and general water usage is monitored by the Water Use Restrictions Enforcement Program. The city has a year-round restriction on water use for all water sources except reclaimed water inside the city limits. Tampa does not currently have an energy efficiency goal set in place for water services.
Water plant efficiency and self-generation
Tampa’s Wastewater Department employs staggered starting of motor loads throughout their facilities to reduce transient power usage. The methane generators used to power some of the electricity of the City of Tampa Wastewater Department have reached the end of their life, but new generators are included in Tampa’s 20-year Master Plan.
Last Updated: March 2019
Transportation
Score: 8 out of 30 points
Transportation Summary List All
The transportation authority serving the City of Tampa is The Hillsborough Area Regional Transit Authority. HART also provides the public transportation for the city and the broader metropolitan area, including bus and trolley service. The Planning Commission is the MPO in charge of conducting metropolitan transportation planning. Its area of jurisdiction encompasses Hillsborough, Tampa, and many surrounding cities and towns. The Transportation Division 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 of Tampa has a comprehensive plan with a mobility element to provide multi-modal mobility with all mode of travel such as transit (bus, ferry and rail), cycling and walking.
VMT/GHG Targets and Stringency
Tampa does not have a VMT/GHG target in place for the transportation sector.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
Tampa does not track progress towards a VMT/GHG target.
Last Updated: March 2019
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
Tampa has neighborhood form-based codes for the Greater Seminole Heights Planning Areas, 40th Street, and Tampa Heights neighborhoods.
Residential Parking Policies
The city allows one or more parking spaces per residential unit.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
There are no incentives available through the city to promote location efficiency.
Last Updated: March 2019
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
Tampa does not have a mode shift target in place for the transportation sector.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
Tampa does not track progress towards their mode shift target.
Complete Streets
Tampa’s complete streets policy scored an 35.6 out of 100 according to the National Complete Streets Coalition.
Car Sharing
We could not confirm if Tampa has a parking policy in place for car sharing vehicles.
Bike Sharing
The city has 0 docked bike share bikes per 100,000 people.
Last Updated: May 2019
Transit List All
Transportation Funding
Tampa spends an average of $23.50 per capita on transit.
Access to Transit Services
The city has an All Transit Performance score of 5.4 out of 10.
Last Updated: March 2019
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
At this time, Tampa does not offer incentives for citizens to purchase hybrid, plug-in, or EV vehicles.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
Tampa does not currently offer incentives for the installing of EV charging infrastructure.
EV Charging Locations
Tampa has 17.38 publicly available EV charging locations per 100,000 people.
Renewable Charging Incentives
We could not confirm if Tampa has any incentives for renewable EV charging infrastructure installation.
Last Updated: March 2019
Freight List All
Tampa does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: March 2019
Low-Income Transportation AccessList All
Affordable New TOD Housing Policy
Tampa awards a density/FAR bonus for developers that provide 10% of a project’s dwelling units as affordable within a transit served area.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
Tampa does not offer rebates for efficient transportation options.
Low-Income Access to High Quality Transit
74.0% of low-income households (those that earn less than $50k annually) are located near high-quality, all-day transit in Tampa.
Last Updated: April 2019