ACEEE Releases the 2020 City Clean Energy Scorecard

The 2020 City Clean Energy Scorecard, grading 100 major U.S. cities on their clean energy initiatives (or lack of them), has been released by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy (ACEEE).

Among key findings in the ACEEE report are the top 15 cities, the two fastest-rising cities, and the five laggards at the bottom of the ranking. The report analyzes the efforts of 100 major U.S. cities — home to 19 percent of the nation’s population — to make buildings and transportation more energy efficient and scale up the use of renewable energy such as solar and wind power. It provides a comprehensive national measuring stick for metropolitan climate progress and serves as a roadmap for future improvements. The report, which has expanded its focus from 75 cities last year, also evaluates what cities are doing to help low-income communities and communities of color access and afford clean energy.

These efforts are more important now than ever. During the COVID-19 recession, many people are spending more time at home. They are seeing their utility bills rise and their pocketbooks shrink. Clean energy can create good, local jobs, cut energy bills, reduce harmful pollution, build resilience in the wake of extreme weather, and lessen the impacts of climate change. The scorecard shows what cities are doing, and can do better, to reap the benefits of energy efficiency and renewable energy.

The American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy, a nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization, acts as a catalyst to advance energy efficiency policies, programs, technologies, investments, and behaviors. ACEEE aims to build a vibrant and equitable economy – one that uses energy more productively, reduces costs, protects the environment, and promotes the health, safety, and well-being of everyone.