Birmingham
City Scorecard Rank
n/a
Birmingham, AL
Scored out of 250Updated 05/2024
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 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
Though the goal does not have a target date, Mayor Randall Woodfin signed a pledge to achieve 100% renewable energy.
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
We could not verify if the city has adopted a quantifiable urban heat island mitigation goal.
UHI Policies and Programs
As part of its Zoning Ordinance, the city has conservation subdivisions that encourage the protection of land alongside residential development patterns. The City of Birmingham has adopted a post-construction stormwater ordinance that requires developers to include green infrastructure and stormwater management practices in their site design and construction.
Last updated: September 2021
Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Workforce DevelopmentList All
Birmingham partnered with local institutions to offer Minority Business Enterprise contracting partners with training opportunities focused on expanding energy efficiency skills to achieve energy savings in municipal buildings and future efficiency projects.
Last updated: July 2021
Buildings Policies
Score: 3 out of 30 points
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of Alabama allows local jurisdictions to adopt more stringent codes than the state-mandated energy codes. The 2015 Alabama Residential Energy Code references to the 2015 IECC, however, state-specific amendments weaken it significantly. The 2015 Alabama Commercial Energy Code is based on ASHRAE 90.1-2013. To learn more about the building energy codes in Alabama, please view the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Birmingham has not adopted a stretch code. Birmingham adheres to the Alabama Commercial Energy Code. The city’s zEPI score for its commercial energy code is 53.9.
Residential
Birmingham has not adopted a stretch code. Birmingham adheres to the Alabama Residential Energy Code. The city’s zEPI score for its residential energy code is 63.4.
Solar-readiness policies
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction to be solar-ready but it allows solar use in all zones.
EV-charging readiness and infrastructure policies
The city has not passed an ordinance mandating new construction be EV-ready.
Last updated: July 2021
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
We could not find information about the number of full-time employees the city staffs to enforce the energy code nor about the city’s code compliance verification process. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: 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: 4.5 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
We could not confirm if Birmingham has a city-wide sustainable transportation plan in place to reduce VMTs.
VMT/GHG Target and Stringency
At this time, the City does not have a codified vehicle miles traveled (VMT) or greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction target.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
We could not determine if the City tracks VMT or GHG numbers.
Last Updated: October 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning Codes
Birmingham has mandatory Downtown and Triangle District form-based codes that were written as optional but became mandatory in 2007.
Residential Parking Policies
The City requires a minimum of one parking space per residential unit in some neighborhoods and one and a half spaces in other neighborhoods.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosure
There are no incentives available through the City to promote location efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
Mode Shift List All
Mode Shift Targets
At this time, the City does not have a codified mode share target for trips within the city.
Progress Achieved Toward Mode Shift Targets
No progress has been achieved, as there are no targets in place.
Complete Streets
Birmingham adopted its complete streets policy in 2011 through Resolution 2011. The adoption of the guidelines encourages the inclusion of complete streets principles in all new neighborhoods.
Last Updated: October 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transit entities that serve the City of Birmingham have received $28,056,555.40 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $34.32 per capita between 2015 and 2019 within the 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 Birmingham’s Transit Connectivity Index value is 0.2, scoring zero points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: October 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
At this time, Birmingham does not offer incentives for citizens to purchase hybrid, plug-in, or EV vehicles.
Vehicle Infrastructure Incentives
There are no incentives available for the construction of EV charging infrastructure.
EV Charging Locations
The City has 30 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 14.3 stations per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
Birmingham does not have an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
Birmingham does not have an EV transit bus goal.
Last Updated: October 2021
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Birmingham does not have a sustainable freight transportation plan in place, nor does it have any policies that address freight efficiency.
Last Updated: October 2021
Clean, Efficient Transportation for Low-Income CommunitiesList All
Affordable New TOD Housing Policy
Birmingham does not have any requirements or incentives in place to develop or preserve affordable housing in transit-served areas.
Connecting Existing Affordable Housing Stock to Efficient Transportation Options
Birmingham does not currently provide rebates or incentives to low-income residents for efficient transportation options.
Last Updated: October 2021
Community Energy Infrastructure
Score: 0.5 out of 15 points
Community Energy Infrastructure Summary List All
Alabama Power, an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric utility serving the City of Birmingham. Alagasco, an IOU and subsidiary of Spire Energy, is Birmingham’s primary natural gas utility. The State of Alabama has not yet implemented an energy efficiency portfolio standard 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 Alabama page of the State Database.
The Birmingham Water Works is a public utility supplying drinking water to residents of Birmingham, and the SouthWest Water Company is a regional wastewater utility that serves the city.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, according to EIA, Alabama Power reported net incremental electricity savings of 4,717 MWh, representing 0.01% of its retail sales. In 2019, Alabama Power spent $3,362,000 on energy efficiency programs, which represents 0.06% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, Alagasco either did not spend or did not report spending or savings on natural gas efficiency programs. These savings figures represent the entire Alabama service territory, not just Birmingham.
Alabama Power offers electric efficiency programs and technical assistance to residential and commercial/industrial customers.
In March 2018, the City of Birmingham was awarded a 2018 Smart Cities Readiness Challenge Grant, in partnership with Alabama Power and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, to help Birmingham use technology and data to address local challenges and improve services and connectivity, such as energy and transportation efficiency.
Last Updated: July 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
At this time, Alabama Power and Alagasco do not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at low-income customers.
In 2018, the City of Birmingham—through the Citywide Rehab Program, 100 Homes, 100 Days—dedicated $1 million to fund residential weatherization.
Multifamily Programs
At this time, Alabama Power and Alagasco do not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at multifamily properties.
Last Updated: July 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
The State of Alabama (ADECA) employs the State Energy Program to decrease energy consumption in public facilities such as K-12 schools, universities, community colleges, state and local governments as well as some privately owned commercial and residential buildings. Alabama Power assists the state by providing energy data related to these buildings for benchmarking with Portfolio Manager. The City of Birmingham does not provide energy usage information for community planning and evaluation purposes. The City of Birmingham 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 May 2020, Southern Company set a goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 compared to 2007 levels, and set an intermediate goal of a 50% reduction of GHG emission from 2007 levels by 2030. To achieve this intermediate goal, Southern Company will need to reduce emissions by 2.7% annually from 2019 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
At this time, we cannot confirm whether or not the city of Birmingham 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: August 2021
Efficiency Efforts in Water ServicesList All
City-wide water efficiency and goals
Although the water and energy utilities do not provide water efficiency programs, Birmingham Water Works does provide this list of helpful tips for saving water at home. Currently, Birmingham Water Works does not have a specified goal for water efficiency.
Water plant efficiency and self-generation
The City of Birmingham has not yet established a goal or comprehensive strategy for energy efficiency in its municipal water service operations. We could not confirm if any of the city’s Wastewater Treatment Facilities self-generate energy that is used on site.
Last Updated: July 2021
Local Government Score:
1.5 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
Although we were unable to find information regarding an energy reduction goal for municipal operations, the City of Birmingham has contracted assistance from TRANE to help promote annual energy savings per capita greater than 2.5%.
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
Since 2017, the City of Birmingham has tried to ensure its municipal fleet was as fuel-efficient as possible for the task it had to complete. In 2017 and 2018, the City added Derive Technology to Police Vehicles that causes the engine to run with less fuel during idling; this saved on average 5 to 6 miles per gasoline of fuel. In 2019, the City added ZeroRPM Technology to ambulances to cut down on particulate matter.
Public Lighting
Birmingham has not adopted a policy requiring efficient outdoor lighting, such as the International Dark-Sky Association’s Model Lighting Ordinance. As of 2019, Birmingham and Alabama Power have upgraded the city's streetlights to LED technology with lighting controls to dim and extinguish lighting during the day.
Onsite and offsite renewable systems
We were unable to find information regarding onsite or offsite renewable energy systems in Birmingham.
Inclusive procurement
While we were unable to verify if these policies have been applied to energy projects, the city has established a goal of inclusive procurement and contracting processes for city projects and encouraging contractors for these projects to utilize disadvantaged business enterprise qualified businesses. The City of Birmingham has adopted the program guidelines set forth in the Birmingham Plan-Construction Industry Program ("BP-CIP"), which is a Minority Business Enterprise Program/Disadvantaged Business Enterprise Program (MBE/DBE) designated to encourage the participation of MBE/DBEs in construction projects of the city.
Last updated: June 2021
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
Birmingham partnered with Trane Technologies to undertake a city-wide upgrade of facilities. The project installation was completed in early 2019 and Trane Technologies has been tasked with initiating an annual Measurement & Verification (M&V) report which includes benchmarking of 90% of public buildings over 10,000 square feet.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
Through Birmingham's Energy Performance Contracting Project with Trane Technologies, 120 municipal buildings have undergone audits and retrofits. The project's goal was to decrease water, electric, and natural gas consumption over the period of the guarantee.
Last updated: June 2021