New Orleans
City Scorecard Rank
39
New Orleans, LA
68.00Scored out of 250Updated 05/2024
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 15.5 out of 45 points
Community-Wide Climate Mitigation and Energy GoalsList All
Climate Mitigation Goal
The Climate Action Plan, released in December 2022, set a new emissions reduction goal of net-zero emissions by 2050 and pushed back the interim emissions reduction goal of 50% below 2014 levels by 2035. Based on past years of emissions data, ACEEE projects the city will not achieve its near-term community-wide GHG emissions reduction goal.
The Climate Action Strategy and the climate action webpage both include emissions data.
Energy Efficiency Goal
The Climate Action Strategy included a goal to achieve 3.3% annual energy savings by 2030.
Renewable Energy Goal
The Climate Action Strategy established goals to achieve 100% low-carbon electricity and install 255 megawatts of local solar capacity by 2030. Low-carbon electricity includes renewable energy sources, energy efficiency measures, and nuclear energy.
Recently, the New Orleans City Council also approved a binding renewable and clean portfolio standard mandating net-zero emissions by 2040 and a fully zero-carbon energy portfolio by 2050 (the 2050 goal does not allow for the purchase of RECs to achieve net-zero emissions).
Last updated: August 2023
Equity-Driven Approaches to Clean Energy Planning, Implementation, and EvaluationList All
Equity-Driven Community Engagement
In 2018, New Orleans launched the Climate Equity Project, a broad and comprehensive approach to equitable climate and energy planning.
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: August 2023
Clean Distributed Energy ResourcesList All
The New Orleans City Council opened docket UD-18-03 for rulemaking for community solar projects. The community solar rules have requirements & incentives for signing up low- and middle-income customers to a community solar project and require at least 50% of community solar projects have a minimum of 30% of low-income subscribers.
Last updated: August 2023
Adaptive Mitigation List All
Heat Island Mitigation Policies and Programs
The city has incorporated urban heat island mitigation policies into the city’s zoning code. Article 5.8.C requires project sites to incorporate low-impact development techniques and grants development bonuses for such. Article 23.10 requires private trees to be protected in development sites. Article 5.5.B promotes the protection of land along with dense residential developments. The Finance Authority of New Orleans recently changed its business model to only provide loans to properties that install green infrastructure resilience upgrades (or energy efficiency measures or solar).
Resilience Hubs
New Orleans supported the creation of resilience hubs throughout the city. The hubs feature solar energy and storage technologies. Some of the hubs are sited in disadvantaged communities.
Last updated: August 2023
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce DevelopmentList All
Workforce development for disadvantaged workers
We could not determine if city has partnered with a local education institution, labor union, or community-based organization to create, support, and/or incentivize the development of clean energy workforce development initiatives that target training and support services for potential or existing workers from disadvantaged communities to obtain and keep in-demand jobs.
Workforce development for the broader community
We could not determine if city has partnered with a local education institution, labor union, or community-based organization to create, support, and/or incentivize the development of clean energy workforce development initiatives that target training and support services for potential or existing workers from the broader community to obtain and keep in-demand jobs.
Outcomes tracking
We could not determine if the city has instituted a mechanism to measure the performance and/or success of equitable workforce development initiatives focused on the clean energy sector.
Last updated: August 2023
Buildings Policies
Score: 15 out of 70 points
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
While the State of Louisiana is a home rule state that technically allows local jurisdictions to adopt building energy codes that are more stringent than the minimum state requirements, the state has several restrictive regulations that essentially prohibit cities from adopting their own energy codes. The minimum state standard requires residential and commercial buildings to comply with the 2021 IECC.
Commercial
New Orleans has not adopted amendments or stretch codes regarding commercial buildings but the city has advocated for more stringent energy codes at the state level. The city’s zEPI score for its commercial energy code is 45.75.
Residential
New Orleans has not adopted amendments or stretch codes regarding commercial buildings but the city has advocated for more stringent energy codes at the state level. The city’s zEPI score for its commercial energy code is 55.50.
Solar-readiness policies
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction be solar-ready.
EV-readiness policies
The city passed an ordinance in July 2023 mandating that most commercial new construction be EV-ready.
Low-energy use requirements
The City passed an ordinance in July 2022 to require certain city office, administration or HQ buildings be LEED gold certified moving forward.
Electrification policies
The city is prohibited by the state from adopting electrification policies.
Last Update: September 2023
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
We were unable to determine the amount of staff effort dedicated to energy code enforcement. The city requires third-party plan reviews and performance testing to verify code compliance. The City Planning Office provides in-house guidance and information regarding building code compliance.
Last Update: September 2023
Policies Targeting Existing BuildingsList All
Building performance standards
The City is working towards passing a benchmarking and BPS ordinance locally that complies with the state preemption law by 2024 as a part of the White House's National Building Performance Standards Coalition.
The draft ordinance would focus on commercial and multi-family buildings above 20,000 square feet and city buildings above 10,000 square feet.
Commercial and multifamily benchmarking
The City is working towards passing a benchmarking and BPS ordinance locally that complies with the state preemption law by 2024 as a part of the White House's National Building Performance Standards Coalition.
Energy audit requirements
There is not yet an energy audit requirement, but the City is working towards including one as a part of its BPS ordinance.
Incentives
The New Orleans Redevelopment Authority provides financing for energy efficiency projects in affordable housing units.
In 2019, the Finance Authority of New Orleans shifted its model to only provide loans to properties that install EE, solar or green infrastructure resilience upgrades.
Program outcomes
We could not verify if the city collects data on incentive and financing programs to ensure equitable outcomes.
Last Update: September 2023
Transportation
Score: 15 out of 70 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
New Orleans' Climate Action Plan was adopted in 2022 and includes sustainable transportation strategies.
VMT/GHG Targets and Stringency
The City of New Orleans does not have a codified VMT or transportation GHG reduction target.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
The City of New Orleans does not have a codified VMT or transportation GHG reduction target, and therefore cannot make progress toward the target.
Last Updated: September 2023
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
We were unable to find information indicating that the City of New Orleans has made changes to its zoning code in the past 10 years to facilitate more residential density, mixed-use development, or transit-oriented development.
Parking Requirements
New Orleans has eliminated parking minimums in certain districts.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
The City of New Orleans does not have location-efficient development incentives or disclosure policies.
Affordable Housing around Transit
The City of New Orleans does not require, preserve, or incentivize the development of affordable housing near transit.
Last Updated: September 2023
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
According to the New Orleans Climate Action Plan, adopted in 2022, the City has a goal of 50% of all trips being made by single-occupant vehicles by 2030.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
The City of New Orleans did not provide data collected on mode share since the adoption of its goal; therefore, we cannot assess progress toward the goal.
Subsidized Access to Efficient Transportation Options
The City of New Orleans provides discounted monthly passes for its bike share system to people eligible for food or medical assistance.
Last Updated: September 2023
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transit entities that serve the City of New Orleans have received $86,838,624.40 on average annually between 2017 and 2021 from local sources. That equates to roughly $222.58 per capita between 2017 and 2021 within the service area.
Access to Transit Services
The AllTransit Performance Score measures a given community's transit access and performance. The score considers connections to other routes, access to jobs, service frequency, and the percent of commuters who ride transit to work. The City of New Orleans’s AllTransit Performance Score is 7.4, scoring 2 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: September 2023
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
Neither the City of New Orleans nor the local utility provide incentives for purchasing efficient vehicles.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
Entergy New Orleans offers a $250 rebate for installing a level 2 charger in a single-family residential or commercial building.
Vehicle Charging Infrastructure Requirements
The City of New Orleans requires all new multifamily developments, office buildings, hotels, hospitals, shopping centers, and other types of development with off-street parking to include one EV charging station or stations in 10% of all spaces, whichever is greater.
EV Charging Locations
The City of New Orleans has 19.5 vehicle charging ports per 100,000 people available for public use.
Electric School Bus Goal
Neither the City of New Orleans nor the local school district have set an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
Neither the City of New Orleans nor the local transit agency have set an electric transit bus goal.
BONUS: Equitable EV Charging
The City of New Orleans is requiring Entergy New Orleans (ENO), a utility serving New Orleans, to fund the installation of EV charging infrastructure at 25 locations. Site selection was driven by five factors, including the area's average income (with preference given to lower-income communities) and exposure to environmental risk (with preference given to communities facing higher risk).
Last Updated: September 2023
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Sustainable Freight Plans
The City of New Orleans does not have a sustainable freight plan or freight mobility plan in place, nor is it pursuing any freight efficiency strategies.
Open Data Portals
The City of New Orleans does not have an open data portal with real-time freight data.
Last Updated: September 2023
Community Energy Infrastructure
Score: 11.5 out of 40 points
Community Energy Infrastructure Summary List All
Entergy New Orleans, an investor-owned utility (IOU) and a subsidiary of Entergy Corporation, is the primary electric and natural gas utility serving the City of New Orleans. Entergy New Orleans, which is regulated by the City of New Orleans, offers a portfolio of energy efficiency programs called Energy Smart. To learn more about the state requirements for electric and gas efficiency, please visit the Louisiana page of the State Database.
The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans provides drinking water and wastewater treatment services to the City of New Orleans.
Last Updated: July 2023
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2021, Entergy New Orleans achieved 54,522 MWh in net incremental savings. In 2021, Entergy New Orleans spent $15,892,097 on energy efficiency programs.
In 2021, Entergy New Orleans reported 10,686,659 Mcf in savings, which (includes Governmental and Industrial savings. Savings from electricity efficiency represented in this section covers New Orleans Parish, not just New Orleans.
Entergy New Orleans offers electric efficiency incentives to residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
Last Updated: July 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
Entergy New Orleans offers a Low-Income Audit & Weatherization program which gives qualified customers the opportunity to receive energy efficiency measures in their homes free of charge. Projects range from direct install measures, such as LED light bulbs and water savings measures, to smart thermostats and comprehensive envelope measures (attic insulation, air sealing, and duct sealing).
The New Orleans Energy Smart program partnered with Total Community Action that uses LIHEAP funding in the Total Power Program. In the program, customers in arrears are given energy efficiency education, a home energy assessment, and energy efficiency measures if needed. Participants also have their arrearage reduced gradually if they meet program goals.
Local government, nonprofit, and community organizations provide input into program design and delivery through various technical conferences and through the Stakeholder Advisory Committee, which consists of numerous government and community groups and meets annually.
In 2021, according to Entergy New Orleans, it achieved 3,053 Mwh in electric energy savings from its low-income programs, while serving 1,226 electric low-income customers, and spending $2,033,465.
Multifamily Programs
Entergy New Orleans offers the Multi-Family program, which targets multi-family property owners and managers, as well as apartment and condo renters. The program addresses their unique needs, which are often overlooked, through a combination of incentives for both direct install and prescriptive measures, and thorough property owner and tenant education. The program was expanded to include duplex homes, which provided more opportunities for energy savings within this program. The program inspection includes a visual inspection of the common and living spaces, attics, crawl space/basement, and exterior of the building, as well as a discussion of lifestyle and customer behaviors that impact energy use. Following the assessment, the program recommends home improvements to increase energy efficiency. The Multifamily program provides incentives for installing ceiling insulation, duct sealing, and air infiltration sealing in the form of a discount to the customer.
In 2019, according to Entergy New Orleans, it saved 1,167,364 MWh from its multifamily program while spending $498,513 and serving 612 multifamily housing units.
Last Updated: September 2023
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
In 2019, Entergy New Orleans created an automated solution that aggregates usage data of multitenant buildings and automatically transmits it to Portfolio Manager. In order to participate, buildings need four or more active meters or consent from all tenants. Smart meters are also being installed by Entergy New Orleans. The City of New Orleans does not provide community-wide energy usage information at the aggregate level for community planning or evaluation purposes.
The City of New Orleans 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: September 2023
Decarbonization and Climate Change Mitigation Efforts of Cities and Energy UtilitiesList All
Utility Climate Mitigation Goal
In 2019, Entergy committed to reducing its carbon intensity by 50% by 2030 from 2000 levels. In May 2021, New Orleans City Council adopted rules that require Entergy New Orleans to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and that 90% of the city’s energy comes from renewable resources by 2040. To achieve 50% by 2030, Entergy will need to reduce emissions by 3.01% annually from 2018 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
In 2021, Entergy's energy generation emitted 20.3 metric tons of CO2 per capita.
Clean Distributed Energy Resources
The New Orleans City Council opened docket UD-18-03 for rulemaking for community solar projects. The community solar rules have requirements & incentives for signing up low- and middle-income customers to a community solar project and require at least 50% of community solar projects have a minimum of 30% of low-income subscribers.
Municipal Renewable Energy Procurement
New Orleans has installed a 300 kW solar system on the Streetcar Barn.
City Renewable Energy Incentive and Financing Programs
In 2019, the Finance Authority of New Orleans shifted its model to only provide loans to properties that install EE, solar or green infrastructure resilience upgrades.
Last Updated: September 2023
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
Citywide Water Efficiency and Goals
Currently, the energy and water utilities do not partner to provide joint energy and water efficiency programs. The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans does not have a water efficiency goal in place, but it is in the process of upgrading many of its leakiest pipes to address system water loss.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
The Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans has not yet established an energy efficiency goal for water operations. There are not currently any programs in place for energy efficiency in water operations. The city’s water system does not self-generate its own energy.
Last Updated: September 2023
Local Government Score:
Score: 11 out of 25 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
Climate Change Mitigation Goal
We could not find any information regarding a municipal climate change mitigation or greenhouse gas reduction goal for New Orleans.
Energy Reduction Goal
We could not find any information regarding a local energy reduction goal for New Orleans.
Renewable Energy Goal
We could not find any information regarding a municipal renewable energy goal for New Orleans.
Last updated: November 2023
Procurement and Construction Policies List All
Fleet Policies and Composition
In 2022, the City Council passed an ordinance to require the phase-out of purchasing of ICE vehicles by 2025 and only purchase fuel-efficient vehicles starting in 2023. were unable to find data regarding fleet composition. In 2023, New Orleans purchased their first 10 battery electric vehicles. Efficient vehicles currently make up less than 1% of the fleet.
Public Lighting
New Orleans has not adopted a policy requiring efficient outdoor lighting, such as the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance. New Orleans has begun an outdoor lighting replacement program for publicly owned lighting and has replaced 75% of its streetlights. All streetlights have photo sensors, so they only operate from dawn to dusk.
Inclusive procurement
New Orleans has set a goal of 35% DEB participation required in contracts. New Orleans’ most recent disparity study was released in 2018, and they have since published annual implementation reports. The City requires every vendor to sign an affidavit of compliance with hiring standards
Last updated: October 2023
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
New Orleans benchmarks 100% of public buildings. The city uses Wego Wise to track this information.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategies
New Orleans conducted ASHRAE Level 1 audits of 17 facilities to advise the city on the next steps for an overall energy management strategy. The findings of this report were released publicly at Greenbuild in New Orleans in October of 2014. The city implemented no- to low-cost upgrades on dozens of public buildings, including operational optimization, in order to improve energy efficiency. Energy efficiency projects between 2018 and 2021 reduced energy use by 23% using a mix of general and capital funds. The city also offers GPRO training for facilities staff. The city currently has allocated $1.2 million in bond funds for energy efficiency upgrades at city facilities.
Municipal Employee Transportation Benefits
New Orleans does not provide reduced-emission transportation benefits to municipal staff.
Last update: February 2024