Winston-Salem
City Scorecard Rank
87
Winston-Salem, NC
9.50Scored out of 100Updated 10/2020
Community-Wide Initiatives
Score: 0 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
We could not verify if the city has adopted a quantifiable urban heat island mitigation goal.
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 updated: June 2021
Buildings Policies
Score: 0.5 out of 30 points
Building Energy CodesList All
Overview
The State of North Carolina requires local jurisdictions to comply with the state mandated building energy codes. All buildings must comply with the 2018 North Carolina Energy Conservation Code, which is less stringent than the 2015 International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) . To learn more about the building codes and requirements for the State of North Carolina, please visit the State Policy Database.
Commercial
Commercial construction in Winston-Salem complies with the North Carolina Energy Conservation Code. The city’s zEPI score for their commercial energy code is 57.6. Charlotte has not yet begun advocating for increased stringency in commercial building energy codes.
Residential
Residential construction in Charlotte complies with the North Carolina Energy Conservation Code. The city’s zEPI score for their residential energy code is 62.9. Charlotte has not yet begun advocating for increased stringency in residential building energy codes.
Solar-readiness policies
We could not find information on whether the city has adopted solar-ordinances
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: June 2021
Building Energy Code Compliance and EnforcementList All
Winston-Salem does not have any full time staff solely dedicated to building energy code enforcement. The city requires plan reviews and site inspections to verify code compliance. We could not find information regarding upfront support for code compliance.
Last updated: June 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: June 2021
Transportation
Score: 3 out of 30 points
Sustainable Transportation Planning List All
Sustainable Transportation Plan
The city released the 2035 Transportation Plan Update, but the plan does not include a VMT reduction goal.
VMT/GHG Target and Stringency
The City of Winston-Salem does not yet have a codified VMT reduction target.
Progress Achieved Toward VMT/GHG Targets
The City of Winston-Salem is not yet tracking community GHG or VMT levels
Last Updated: December 2021
Location Efficiency List All
Location Efficient Zoning
The city’s zoning code targets transit-oriented development districts, but does not require such development.
Residential Parking Requirements
The city has not removed minimum parking requirements, but the city’s Strategic Plan includes a goal to study parking requirements in transit-oriented development districts. The city's current parking requirements can be found in Chapter B of the city's zoning ordinance.
Location Efficiency Incentives and Disclosures
No data or the city is not pursuing.
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
No Policy Found.
Last Updated: December 2021
Public Transit List All
Transportation Funding
The transportation entities that serve the City of Winston-Salem have received $10,889,228.40 on average annually between 2015 and 2019. That equates to roughly $44.52 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 Winston-Salem Transit Connectivity Index value is 3.4, scoring 0 points in the City Scorecard.
Last Updated: December 2021
Efficient VehiclesList All
Vehicle Purchase Incentives
Neither the City of Winston-Salem or any of the utilities that service it's resident are providing incentives towards the lease or purchase of EVs at this time.
Incentives for EV Charging Stations
Neither the City of Winston-Salem or any of the utilities that service it's resident are providing incentives towards the installation of EV charging infrastrucutre at this time.
EV Infrastructure
The City has 19 charging ports available for public use, equivalent to 7.7 ports per 100,000 people.
Electric School Bus Goal
Winston-Salem does not have an electric school bus goal.
EV Transit Bus Goal
Winston-Salem does not have an EV transit bus goal.
Last Updated: December 2021
Freight System EfficiencyList All
Winston-Salem 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
Winston-Salem 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
Electric scooter rides from SPIN are discounted 50% for low-income residents in Winston-Salem.
Last Updated: December 2021
Community Energy Infrastructure
Score: 5 out of 15 points
Community Energy Infrastructure Summary List All
Duke Energy Carolinas, an investor-owned utility (IOU), is the primary electric utility serving the City of Winston-Salem. Piedmont Natural Gas, an IOU, is Winston-Salem’s primary natural gas utility. The State of North Carolina has implemented a renewable energy and 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 North Carolina page of the State Database.
The City of Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Utilities Department is in charge of providing the City of Winston-Salem with drinking water services, wastewater treatment, and stormwater management.
Last Updated: July 2021
Electricity and Natural Gas Efficiency SavingsList All
In 2019, according to EIA, Duke Energy Carolinas achieved 779,302 MWh of net electric savings at the meter, which represents 1.33% of its retail sales across the utility’s entire service jurisdiction, not only Winston-Salem. In 2019, Duke Energy Carolinas spent $87,219,585 on energy efficiency programs, which represents 1.84% of its retail revenue.
In 2019, Piedmont Natural Gas either did not spend or did not report spending or savings on natural gas efficiency programs. These savings and spending figures cover the entire jurisdiction of both utilities, not just the City of Winston-Salem.
Duke offers electric efficiency incentives and technical assistance to residential and commercial/industrial customers.
At this time, the City of Winston-Salem does not have a formal partnership with Duke Energy Carolinas or Piedmont in the form of a jointly developed or administered energy saving strategy, plan, or agreement.
Last Updated: August 2021
Low-Income & Multifamily EE Programs List All
Low-Income Programs
Duke Energy Carolinas offers the Neighborhood Energy Saver Program (NES) to qualified low-income residential customers. This weatherization assistance program provides many direct-install measures such as lightbulbs, aerators, showerheads, weather stripping, door sweeps, caulk and insulation, and water heater adjustments. The NES program reaches out to local government (mayors, city council, community leaders) for involvement in the kickoff event and to provide support for the program.
Duke Energy Carolinas also offers the Residential Income-Qualified Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Assistance for Individuals Program to qualified low-income residential customers. This weatherization assistance program provides, on the basis of need, measures provided under the NES Program, additional insulation, air sealing, refrigerator replacement, and electric HVAC system replacement. Both programs are administered in coordination with local agencies that administer state weatherization programs and other agencies selected by Duke Energy.
In 2019, according to Duke Energy Carolinas it achieved 6,419 MWh in energy savings, while spending $5,367,996 on its low-income programs and served 7,583 low-income customers.
At this time, Piedmont Natural Gas does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at low-income customers.
The Piedmont Triad Regional Council (PTRC), the Council of Governments in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, has a weatherization program available to low-income, elderly or disabled residents in 8 of the 12 counties served. Forsyth County, where Winston-Salem, is located is one of those counties. The city pays annual dues to the organization, which in turn helps support this program.
Multifamily Programs
Duke Energy Carolinas offers the Multifamily Energy Efficiency Program. This program offers no-cost direct install of high efficiency light bulbs, faucet aerators, showerheads and hot water pipe wrapping in multifamily building units. In 2019, according to Duke Energy Carolinas, it achieved 15,597 MWh in savings, while spending $2,690,649 and providing 414,895 measures.
At this time, Piedmont Natural Gas does not offer energy efficiency programs targeted at multifamily customers.
Last Updated: July 2021
Provision of Energy Data by UtilitiesList All
Neither Duke Energy Carolinas nor Piedmont Natural Gas provide building managers with automated benchmarking data through ENERGY STAR Portfolio Manager for multitenant commercial or multifamily buildings. The City of Winston-Salem does not provide community-wide energy usage information at the aggregate level for community planning and evaluation purposes, but the city has requested such data from the utilities in 2020. The City of Winston-Salem 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 September 2019, Duke Energy set a goal to reduce carbon emissions by at least 50% by 2030 from 2005 levels, with a goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. To achieve a 50% reduction by 2030, Duke Energy will need to reduce emissions by 2.5% annually from 2019 levels.
City-Led Efforts to Decarbonize the Electric Grid
Winston-Salem’s Resolution #20-0499 includes a renewable energy goal of 50% clean renewable energy for operations by 2030 and 100% by 2050. Duke Energy informally supported this goal after the resolution was passed in November 2020.
Last Updated: July 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, and the City of Winston-Salem has not yet established a water savings target or goal.
Water Plant Efficiency and Self-Generation
The water utility has not set specific energy efficiency targets or strategies., but the Utilities Department monitors devices and systems to prevent excess energy use.
At the Archie Elledge Wastewater Treatment Plant, one of two wastewater treatment plants run by the City/County Utilities, methane produced in the digester treatment process is collected and used to help power the treatment plants. The city also uses Combined Heat and Power at the Muddy Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant.
Last Updated: July 2021
Local Government Score:
1 out of 10 points
Local Government Climate and Energy Goals List All
Climate Mitigation Goal
Winston-Salem does not have a climate mitigation or greenhouse gas emissions reduction goal for municipal operations.
Energy Reduction Goal
The City of Winston-Salem officially established a target of 40% energy reduction by 2025, with a 2008 baseline, by passing Resolution #20-499 on November 16, 2020.
Renewable Energy Goal
The City of Winston-Salem officially established a target of 50% clean renewable energy for local government operations by 2030 by passing Resolution #20-499.
Last updated: June 2021
Procurement and Construction Policies List All
Fleet policies and composition
Winston-Salem does not have a formal fleet procurement policy for efficient vehicles. Winston-Salem’s municipal fleet is currently made up of 0.18% efficient vehicles, including hybrid and battery electric vehicles.
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. All of the city-owned streetlights have been converted to LED, and Duke Energy is upgrading their portion of streetlights.
Onsite and offsite renewable systems
We were unable to find information regarding onsite or offsite renewable energy systems in Winston-Salem.
Inclusive procurement
Although the city hasn't undertaken recent energy projects, Winston-Salem has a minority-owned and women-owned business enterprise certification program through its Business Inclusion and Advancement Department.
Last updated: June 2021
Asset Management List All
Building Benchmarking
Winston-Salem produces an annual greenhouse gas report that provides information on energy use in selected municipal facilities that total 1,212,675 square feet, about 32% of the total square footage of city facilities.
Comprehensive Retrofit Strategy
We were unable to find information regarding a comprehensive retrofit strategy in Winston-Salem. The City of Winston-Salem employs an Energy Management Coordinator as part of the Office of Sustainability. This position oversees energy use and efficiency across all city facilities, including street lights.
Last updated: June 2021