Tulsa
City Scorecard Rank
82
Tulsa, OK
11.00Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 0.5 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.
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
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
Adaptive Mitigation List All
UHI Mitigation Goal
Tulsa’s 2016 Urban Forest Master Plan established a goal to increase the city’s tree canopy to 30% by 2036.
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
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: July 2021
Buildings Policies
Score: 0.5 out of 30 points
Building Energy CodesList All
The State of Oklahoma allows its local jurisdictions to adopt building energy codes other than the state standards. Oklahoma adopted the 2015 International Residential Code (IRC) with amendments that require cities to comply with the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC). Oklahoma adopted the 2015 International Building Code with amendments that require cities to comply with the 2006 IECC. To learn more, please visit the Oklahoma page on the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial properties must comply with the 2006 IECC. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 74.5.
Residential
Residential properties must comply with the 2015 IRC. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 65.6.
Solar-readiness policies
We could not find information on whether the city has adopted solar-ready ordinances.
EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies
We could not find information on whether the city has adopted EV-ready ordinances.
Last Update: July 2021
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
Tulsa requires permit reviews to ensure code compliance for residential and commercial new construction. 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: July 2021
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
We could not find information on whether the city incentivizes or requires energy-saving actions in existing buildings.
Last updated: July 2021
Transportation
Score: 3.5 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
City of Tulsa has pursued and received a U.S. DOT BUILD Grant which focused on transportation technology improvements that reduce VMT.
VMT/GHG Targets and Stringency
The City of Tulsa does not have an explicit VMT or GHG reduction target; however, Tulsa Area Clean Cities does have an annual goal of decreasing GHG emissions.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
Tulsa does not track progress towards a VMT/GHG target.
Last Updated: December 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
The city recently conducted a land use study of the Peoria BRT route that identified areas to be rezoned to mixed use.
Residential Parking Policies
We could not confirm if Tulsa has reduced parking minimums anywhere in the city.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
In 2017 the City of Tulsa launched an incentive program aimed at increasing the use of mixed-use zoning along a frequent-transit corridor.
Last Updated: December 2021
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
In the City of Tulsa's Comprehensive plan, there are year 2030 Goals for transit, pedestrian and bike mode shares.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
Presently, the city of Tulsa is not measuring progress on mode share goals, however this is being considered.
Complete Streets
Tulsa has a Complete Streets policy.
Last Updated: December 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transportation entities that serve the City of Tulsa have received $13,725,194.60 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $27.00 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 Tulsa Transit Connectivity Index value is 3.6, scoring 0 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: December 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
Through efforts of our COG/MPO's Clean Cities Coalition, our utility partners with Nissan to offer discounts on the Nissan LEAF EV.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
Our electric utility offers a $250 rebate for Energy Star certified home EV chargers.
EV Charging Locations
The City has 137 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 34.1 ports per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
Tulsa does not have an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
Tulsa does not have an EV transit bus goal.
Last Updated: December 2021
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Tulsa 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
The City of Tulsa offers an incentive program allowing properties along the Peoria Avenue Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) route to be re-zoned to Mixed-Use at no cost. The program has been extended until the end of 2021, and is expected to expand.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
Tulsa Transit offers reduced fares for seniors, medicare card holders, veterans, and persons with disabilities.
Last Updated: December 2021
Community Energy Infrastructure
Score: 5.5 out of 15 points
Community Energy Infrastructure Summary List All
Public Service Company of Oklahoma (PSO), an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric utility for the City of Tulsa. The primary natural gas supplier for Tulsa is Oklahoma Natural Gas, an IOU. The State of Oklahoma has not yet implemented energy efficiency goals or resource standards in which levels of energy efficiency must be achieved annually by the state’s utilities through demand side programs. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Oklahoma page of the State Database.
The City of Tulsa Water and Sewer Department is the municipal utility that provides the City of Tulsa with drinking water services, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, Public Service Company of Oklahoma reported 132,689 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 0.65% of its retail sales. In 2019, PSO spent $28,813,928 on energy efficiency programs, which represents 2.08% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, Oklahoma Natural Gas reported savings of 2.85 MMtherms from natural gas efficiency programs, representing 0.39% of its retail sales. In 2019, ONG spent $14,509,871 on energy efficiency, which equates to $17.96 per residential customer. Savings from electricity efficiency represented in this section cover the entire Oklahoma service territory, not just Tulsa.
PSO offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and business customers. ONG similarly offers natural gas efficiency programs to commercial customers.
The City of Tulsa and Public Service of Company of Oklahoma entered into a franchise agreement for electricity infrastructure and distribution that also includes a number of energy efficiency programs for Tulsa residents.
Last Updated: July 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
PSO offers the Home Weatherization program, which provides free energy-saving upgrades such as attic insulation, air and duct sealing, and more to income qualified households. PSO's Home Weatherization program contributes an average of $2,000 per qualified household for efficiency measures. The Shine-a Light project is funded by PSO’s DSM rider as part of our Energy Saving Products program. Through Shine-a Light, PSO provided 100,000 LEDs to limited income customers.
In addition to PSO’s Home Weatherization program PSO also partners with Revitalize T-Town (formerly Rebuilding Together Tulsa) and Ki Bois Community Action Agency, providing funds for energy efficiency upgrades to homes they are assisting. These funds allow Revitalize T-Town and Ki Bois to maximize funding from other sources to address health, safety and home repairs for their customers.
In 2019, according to PSO, achieved 3,743 MWh energy savings, while spending $3,659,104 on its low-income program, and served 2,048 low-income households.
Oklahoma Natural Gas offers the Low-Income Energy Efficiency Assistance Program. The program provides evaluation and installation of residential energy efficiency improvements free of charge to low-income or fixed-income customers. Through this program eligible customers may receive weatherization measures, which may include attic insulations, air sealing, and duct sealing.
In 2019, Oklahoma Natural Gas, saved 0.28 MMtherms, while spending $719,922 on its low-income programs and served 795 low-income households.
Multifamily Programs
PSO offers a multifamily component to its High Performance Homes Multiple Upgrade program. Customers who qualify for multifamily incentive must complete two or more upgrades. Qualifying upgrades include attic insulation, air sealing, duct sealing, and HVAC replacements. The program also includes direct install measures, such as faucet aerators, low-flow showerheads, and CFL and LED bulbs. Each unit has a blower-door and duct sealing test performed by a third-party verifier before and after implementation of energy efficiency upgrades.
In 2019, PSO achieved 3,604 MWh in energy savings, while spending $951,182 on its multifamily program and serving 3,519 housing units in 22 multifamily properties.
At this time, Oklahoma Natural Gas does not offer an efficiency program targeted at multifamily properties.
Last Updated: July 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
PSO, with assistance from local companies THG and Trane, provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager. PSO is developing an ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager offering. The City of Tulsa does not provide community-wide energy usage information at the aggregate level for community planning or evaluation purposes. The City of Tulsa 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
In 2021, American Electric Power, the parent company of PSO, set a company-wide goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with an interim goal of 80% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 from a 2000 baseline. To achieve this goal, AEP will need to reduce emissions by 1.49% annually from 2020 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
At this time, we cannot confirm if city of Tulsa 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: 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 Tulsa has not established a water savings target or goal.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
The City of Tulsa has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies. However, the Tulsa Metropolitan Utility Authority implements a Strategic Plan Framework through which the wastewater treatment facilities closely monitors energy usage and has established a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) for kilowatt hours used per million gallons treated, implements electrical conservation measures at water and wastewater plants, and installs variable frequency drives on pump motors. In addition, the A.B. Jewell Water Treatment Plant invested in the replacement of 350 existing lights, ranging from 70 to 400 watts, with just 259 Dialight LEDs, ranging from just 33 to 212 watts, which saved 446 MWh from the plant’s annual consumption.
Tulsa’s Northside plant captures methane as part of the anaerobic digestion process and uses it to fuel process boilers. Tulsa’s other anaerobic digestion facility has the ability to capture methane to fuel process boilers, but the city will not utilize this option until improvement are made to clean the gas and reduce equipment corrosion.
Last Updated: August 2021
Local Government Score:
1 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
Tulsa's procurement policy states that all replacement vehicles must have a higher fuel efficiency rating than the vehicle it is replacing. Code of Ordinances Title 12 Internal Policies requires the City to promote energy conservation and implement cost-efficient energy savings in all of its activities and operations. The City's policy objectives include goals for the municipal fleet, including emphasizing fuel economy and reducing the number of fleet vehicles. Tulsa's fleet received recognition as a green fleet in 2020.
Public Lighting
Tulsa has not adopted a policy requiring efficient outdoor lighting, such as the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance, but most streetlights automatically turn off in daylight conditions. Tulsa's streetlights are owned and maintained by the electric utility. Streetlight conversion is in progress, but we were unable to determine the percentage converted to LED. All new and replacement lights will be LEDs throughout the ity.
Onsite and offsite renewable systems
We were unable to find information regarding onsite or offsite renewable energy systems in Tulsa.
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
Tulsa does not currently benchmark energy use in municipal buildings.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategies
We were unable to find information regarding a comprehensive retrofit strategy in Tulsa.
Last updated: June 2021