Why Cities Are Going Green in 2015 Posted on August 12, 2015June 23, 2021 by Amanda Wolf The focus on building and sustaining energy-efficient cities around the world is growing. As more governments and citizens demand clean air, renewable energy and cost savings, more municipalities must step forward with initiatives to improve everything from buses to street lamps to water reclamation and recycling. ACEEE Scoring Drives Competition and Advancement In 2013, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE) began to rank U.S. cities based on their programs and public policies regarding the responsible use of energy and promotion of economic growth. This year, the nonprofit ranked 51 large U.S. cities based on five factors: transportation, buildings, energy and water utilities, local government operations and community-wide initiatives. Boston ranked first in this year’s and the previous ACEEE City Energy Efficiency Scorecard. Since the previous survey, the city has increased the number of incentives for the creation of energy-efficient buildings and started using energy benchmarks. Out of 100 available points, the Top 10 cities scored from 82 to 58.5. Boston was the only city to score above 80 points, and Oklahoma City was the worst ranked city with just 12 points. The Financial Aspect of Energy Efficiency One of the main drivers behind the growing attention on sustainable energy and reduced usage is financial. By deriving energy from clean, renewable sources and using only what’s necessary, everyone from individuals to whole countries have the potential to save money. The Gordian Group reported maintenance costs were 19 percent lower for energy-efficient cities, and there was a total savings of $70 per square foot. The financial aspect of energy efficiency is critically important for municipalities facing scrutiny from citizens who demand transparency following the most recent recession. Many people outside of the energy and green construction industries believe the implementation of energy-efficient programs and equipment are prohibitively expensive, which can lead them to worry about how their tax dollars are used. However, despite the necessary capital investments, infrastructure and equipment upgrades can have a significant return on investment. For instance, the $70 per square foot savings is 20 times more than the cost of a city going green. For cities concentrating on becoming energy efficient, it’s important to communicate with citizens regarding the upfront costs of upgrades and the future savings. Residents may feel less trepidation and more excitement if they understand the process and growing pains of going green. Cities Don’t Have to Work Alone It takes internal forces within a region to truly drive change, but cities don’t have to reach their energy efficiency goals alone. The World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program has been around for decades, but due to the overwhelming global demand regarding urban energy efficiency, the program established a new business plan devoted to clean energy, energy access, energy assessments and strategies, as well as energy efficient cities. ESMAP offers city legislators and policymakers innovative strategies, advice and other tools to promote energy efficiency that aligns with economic growth.
