ACEEE acts as a technical assistance advisor to numerous local governments and authorities by providing analyses on the potential for energy efficiency and presenting policy opportunities. This toolkit was developed as a result of our experience working with local policymakers, program managers, and community stakeholders. The tools are designed to respond to needs of local governments and others engaged in advancing energy efficiency at the local level. Many of these tools are aimed at enabling action on low-cost, high-impact policies that will allow communities to achieve lasting energy savings.
The resources below summarize several of the programs and policies being implemented in local communities around the country. They include links to introductory information and technical assistance resources for each topic area. These resources are continually evolving as we identify additional local needs, develop new strategies, and improve upon existing ones. If you do not find the tool you need, please let us know. Need more help? Fill out this form and send it to us. For resources related to state policy please see the State Technical Assistance Toolkit.
We also maintain toolkits for state energy efficiency policy and rural energy efficiency.
New tool lets small and mid-size cities measure their clean energy efforts
Mayors all over the country are implementing a variety of policies and programs to help their cities achieve clean energy goals, and prioritizing energy efficiency is a vital step. Beyond the direc…
Many local governments have adopted community-wide goals for increasing energy efficiency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. This set of briefs examines three high-impact energy efficiency poli…
A growing number of local and state governments are adopting policies requiring residential energy rating and/or disclosure, the practice of evaluating the energy efficiency of a home or building a…
Local governments aiming to reduce their city’s energy usage might begin by writing a strategic energy management plan for the local government operations. Within this plan, an energy usage reducti…
Combined heat and power (CHP) projects can offer substantial economic and environmental benefits to its users. These benefits include lower overall energy costs, improved reliability, and reduced t…
The amount of electricity and fuel a building uses is recorded using meters. Utilities collect this information and use it to bill their customers. When tracked over time, the data provide informat…
Policies and strategies for new and existing buildings Buildings are the top energy user in most cities, accounting for approximately 50-75% of citywide energy use.1 With energy efficiency pol…
ACEEE’s independent research and advocacy depend on the support of foundations, businesses, and individuals committed to a cleaner, more affordable energy future for all Americans.