Toledo
City Scorecard Rank
77
Toledo, OH
14.00Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 1 out of 15 points
Community-Wide Summary List All
The City of Toledo and Lucas County created the joint Toledo-Lucas County Sustainability Commission. The Commission released the Regional Sustainability Plan in 2014.
Last updated: September 2021
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The Regional Sustainability Plan includes a goal to reduce per capita greenhouse gas emissions 40% below a 2012 baseline by 2030.
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.
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
The Regional Sustainability Plan includes a goal to improve the area's housing and transportation affordability index by 11 index points (a 15% reduction) between 2012 and 2030.
Last updated: September 2021
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: September 2021
Buildings Policies
Score: 4 out of 30 points
Buildings Summary List All
The City of Toledo must use and enforce the state-mandated energy codes. The city offers a financing program to encourage energy efficiency and renewable energy investments. We could not find information on city-mandated benchmarking policies or above-code energy action requirements.
Last updated: July 2021
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of Ohio has set mandatory building energy codes statewide. The Ohio Board of Building Standards adopted the 2012 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) and ASHRAE 90.1-2010 with amendments for commercial buildings. Ohio's energy code for residential buildings is based on the 2018 IECC. To learn more about Ohio’s building energy code requirements, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial buildings in Toledo comply with the state-mandated codes. The city’s zEPI score for its commercial energy code is 59.0.
Residential
Residential buildings in Columbus comply with the state-mandated codes or the 2009 IECC. The city’s zEPI score for its residential energy code is 54.0.
Solar-readiness policies
We could not find information on whether the city has adopted solar-readiness policies or requirements.
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
We could not find information on whether the city sets low-energy use requirements for municipal or certain private buildings.
Last updated: July 2021
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
Toledo 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: July 2021
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Incentives
Toledo offers PACE financing for commercial and residential energy efficiency and renewable energy projects.
Last updated: July 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: July 2021
Transportation
Score: 4 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
No data or the city is not pursuing.
VMT/GHG Target and Stringency
The City of Toledo does not yet have a codified VMT reduction target.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
The City of Toledo is not yet tracking community GHG or VMT levels
Last Updated: December 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning
Toledo's zoning code has language identifying overlay districts, density promotions within multi-dwelling districts, and mixed-use land development standards and policies.
Residential Parking Requirements
Policies do not meet the minimum scoring threshold for the City Scorecard.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosures
The city's zoning code indicates that there are density bonuses available to developers building within the CM and CD districts.
Last Updated: December 2021
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Target
No data or city is not pursuing
Progress Toward Mode Shift Target
No progress has been achieved, as there are no targets in place.
Complete Streets
Toledo Municipal Code, Chapter 901 (Ordinance 656-10)
Last Updated: December 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transportation entities that serve the City of Toledo have received $21,080,165.20 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $56.33 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 Toledo Transit Connectivity Index value is 3.9, scoring 0 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: December 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
Neither Toledo nor any of the utilities that serve its residents are providing incentives towards the purchase of EVs at this time.
Incentives for EV Charging Stations
Neither the City of Toledo nor any of the utilities that serve its residents are providing incentives towards the installation of EV charging infrastructure at this time.
EV Infrastructure
The City has 16 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 5.9 ports per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
Toledo does not have an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
Toledo does not have an EV transit bus goal.
Last Updated: December 2021
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Toledo 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
Toledo 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 Toledo 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: 5 out of 15 points
Energy & Water Utilities Summary List All
Toledo Edison, an investor-owned utility (IOU) and subsidiary to FirstEnergy, is the primary electric utility serving Toledo. Columbia Gas of Ohio, an IOU, is Toledo’s primary gas utility. Under the state’s EERS, Ohio’s investor-owned utilities were required to implement energy efficiency plans and file annual reports to the commission. However, HB 6 (2019) terminated the state’s EERS, cutting energy efficiency and renewable energy standards and eliminating the electric energy efficiency programs for residents and businesses. These programs were phased out by the end of 2020. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Ohio page of the State Database.
The City of Toledo Division of Water Distribution is the municipal utility that provides the City of Toledo with drinking water services. The Division of Water Reclamation is in charge of wastewater treatment and stormwater management.
Last Updated: August 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, according to the EIA, Toledo Edison achieved 73,187 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 0.71% of its retail sales across the utility’s entire service jurisdiction, not only Toledo. In 2019, Toledo Edison spent $10,137,000 on energy efficiency programs, which represents 2.37% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, Columbia Gas of Ohio reported 10.33 MMtherms of net natural gas savings at the meter, which represents 0.59% of its retail sales across the utility’s service territory. In 2019, Columbia Gas spent $29,559,487 on energy efficiency, which equates to $22.09 per residential customer. These savings and spending figures cover the entire service jurisdiction of both utilities, not just the City of Toledo.
FirstEnergy offers electric efficiency incentives to residential and commercial customers. Columbia Gas of Ohio similarly offers natural gas programs to residential and business customers.
At this time, the City of Toledo does not have a formal partnership with Toledo Edison or Columbia Gas 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
FirstEnergy offers the Community Connections program which operates as a standalone program to serve low-income customers who are not eligible for other state program resources. Participants receive an in-home energy use evaluation and energy-saving home improvements such as sealing air leaks in attic walls or foundations, attic and/or wall insulation, appliance testing and possible replacement, electric water heater inspection, faucet aerators, and energy education. FirstEnergy also includes the installation of health and safety measures such as carbon monoxide detectors, roof repairs/replacement, electric wiring repairs and upgrades, furnace repairs, and appliance replacements.
In 2019, according to FirstEnergy, Toldeo Edison saved 1,193 MWh in electric net incremental savings, while spending $1,127,908 on its low-income programs and serving 815 households.
Columbia Gas of Ohio offers its WarmChoice program to income-eligible homeowners and renters. Through this program, customers receive no-cost energy efficiency measures including air sealing, and attic and sidewall insulation. Gas appliances are inspected for safety and repaired or if necessary, replaced with high-efficiency models. The program targets participants of the Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP Plus) program and the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). Columbia Gas of Ohio partners with the federal Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) in order to leverage funding and maximize services to customers. Columbia’s WarmChoice providers often coordinate funding from Columbia with other funding sources to better serve customers, including the Home Weatherization Assistance Program (HWAP) and electric utility funding. Health-related measures include venting issues, cracked heat exchangers in furnaces, gas leaks, and unsafe wiring.
Columbia Gas of Ohio also offers a Home Energy Audit and Rebate program for customers above income guidelines for WarmChoice, which provides a reduced cost energy audit and rebates on recommended energy efficiency upgrades. Customers above income guidelines for WarmChoice (150% Federal Poverty Level) but at or below 80% Area Median Income, qualify for a $20 energy audit and max out of pocket of $300 for recommended energy efficiency upgrades, including the attic and wall insulation and air/duct sealing. Customers above income for the assisted tier of Home Energy Audit can receive a $50 energy audit and rebates on recommended energy efficiency upgrades.
In 2019, Columbia Gas of Ohio achieved 0.52 MMtherms in savings, while spending $11,283,698 on its low-income programs and serving 1,938 low-income customers.
Multifamily Programs
At this time, FirstEnergy (Toledo Edison) does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at multifamily properties.
Columbia Gas of Ohio offers the direct installation of energy efficiency measures in multifamily properties. Additionally, they offer energy audits for multi-family buildings with 5-10 units through its Home Energy Audit and Rebate Program. Columbia also launched a pilot for low-income multifamily customers through its WarmChoice program, offering no-cost weatherization service to customers living in multifamily units. Additionally, Columbia has a multifamily component of its EfficiencyCrafted Homes program which works with builders to construct new residences that are built above energy code.
In 2019, Columbia Gas of Ohio saved 0.05 MMtherms from its multifamily programs and served 1,851 housing units. Spending for their 2019 multifamily programs was not available.
Last Updated: August 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Columbia Gas provides automated benchmarking services through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for commercial and industrial customers. Columbia Gas partnered with AEP Ohio on the Benchmarking energy platform so that jointly served customers can have both their natural gas usage and their electricity usage benchmarked on a single website. The City of Toledo does not provide community-wide energy usage information at the aggregate level for community planning and evaluation purposes. The City of Toledo 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 2020, FirstEnergy, the parent company of Toledo Edison, set a goal to become carbon neutral by 2050, with an interim goal of lowering greenhouse gas emissions by 30% from 2019 levels by 2030. To achieve this goal, FirstEnergy will need to reduce emissions by 2.93% annually from 2019 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
Toledo does not offer residents a community choice aggregator with green energy options.
Last Updated: August 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. However, Columbia Gas of Ohio includes water efficiency measures in its energy efficiency programs, including energy efficient showerhead, faucet aerators, and pre-rinse spray valves. At this time, the City of Toledo and its water and wastewater utilities have not established a water savings target or goal.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
Neither the water nor the wastewater utility has 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
Toledo 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 Toledo’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 Toledo 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 Toledo.
Inclusive procurement
While we were unable to verify that the practices had been applied to energy projects, Toledo's Diversified Contractors Accelerator Program encourages increased minority and women-owned business participation in public construction projects.
Last updated: June 2021
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
We were unable to find information regarding Toledo’s benchmarking practices.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
We were unable to find information regarding a comprehensive retrofit strategy in Toledo.
Last updated: June 2021