Atlanta ranks 13th on clean energy scorecard

(The Center Square) — Atlanta received 107 out of 250 total points (43%) on its clean energy scorecard, ranking 13th out of 57 cities in large metro areas.

The Gate City tied with Sacramento and San Diego at No. 13. San Francisco topped the list for the second consecutive year, edging out Denver, Seattle and Los Angeles.

The rankings are from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy’s 2024 City Clean Energy Scorecard. The group explored 75 of the largest cities nationwide, examining their energy efficiency and efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

“Atlanta was one of the stronger performers among its peers, and it rose in the rankings from the previous scorecard,” ACEEE said in its analysis. “Atlanta performed best in the community energy infrastructure category and has the most room to improve in the buildings category.”

On the local government operations front, the report highlighted Atlanta’s Sustainable Revolving Loan Fund, which supports energy efficiency work in city buildings through energy performance contracts. Additionally, efficient vehicles make up 3% of the city’s municipal fleet, and Atlanta and Georgia Power officials are working to convert the city’s lights to LEDs.

Meanwhile, the Georgia Department of Transportation is advancing the second round of its Georgia National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Deployment Program. The round aims to deploy a network of electric vehicle charging stations along “alternative fuel corridors.”

The feds sent $135 million to the Peach State for the program. State officials consider Georgia “a leader in the automotive and manufacturing space.”