City of Norfolk, VA

With a population around 238,000, Norfolk is the third most populous city in Virginia. Norfolk holds a strategic position as the historical, urban, financial, and cultural center of the Hampton Roads region and has centered itself in strong resiliency and sustainability efforts. Using the Climate Action Plan as a framework, the City of Norfolk engages in a variety of programs and initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of climate change, including the Better Buildings Challenge.

There are 127 City of Norfolk-owned buildings in the Better Buildings Challenge portfolio, including fire stations, libraries, parking garages, and office spaces totaling over 6 million square feet.

In 2022, the Norfolk City Council adopted a resolution to participate in the Better Buildings Challenge. Using 2019 as the baseline year, the Department of General Services’ divisions of Environmental Sustainability and Facilities Maintenance utilize utility bill software to track energy consumption and analyze data to inform decision-making and grant-writing. Tracking the HVAC equipment age and energy use assists the Facilities Maintenance team in working toward enhanced energy efficiencies and funding requests to upgrade.

The internal Norfolk Green Fund allows City departments to request funding to be used for energy-saving projects. Money saved by implementing projects goes back into the Norfolk Green Fund for future use. Past projects include insulating metal roll-up doors at the Norfolk Animal Care Center and upgrading lighting and computer room air conditioning units in the Police Operations Center. City of Norfolk employees also engage in the “Watts Going Down, Norfolk” campaign, an energy-savings initiative directly tied to the Better Buildings Challenge. The campaign includes fun and informative videos, light switch and thermostat reminder decals, in-person outreach, and an Energy Champions program.

Norfolk plans to expand clean energy options on City-owned buildings, including solar photovoltaic systems on parking facilities.

Implementation Model

City of Norfolk: Watts Going Down Energy Efficiency Campaign

Tools

City of Norfolk Watts Going Down Education Campaign

Presentation

Improving Internal Coordination on Energy and Emissions Goals

Performance Data

Solutions

Leadership Commitments

Better Buildings Challenge

Goal

Commitment

Progress