The following is a list of the Sustainable Pennsylvania assessment criteria. Because the program includes filter questions designed to eliminate questions that are not relevant, no municipality will see every question. The questions are broken down into Topics and Subtopics based on the typical municipal departments and operations. Within the system itself there are many additional resources available to a user, such as a tool to mark future actions or the ability to pull reports based on our list of impact tags.
Waste and Materials Management
| Subtopic | Criteria Name | Criteria | Answer Options (points) | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Community Wide Materials Management | Waste Assessment/Audit | The municipality has done an assessment or audit measuring the average annual tonnage sent to landfill or incinerator, the quality and volume of recycling, and the details of composting and hard to recycle collections. | A. Yes (documentation required) (5) B. No | 5 |
| Community Wide Materials Management | Materials Management Data | What community-wide waste and recycling data does your municipality collect on an annual basis? Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. (documentation required) | A. Residential Collection – total waste sent to landfill or incinerator (1) B. Residential Collection – total recycling sent to Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) or equivalent (1) C. Residential Collection – total yard waste collected for composting (1) D. Residential Collection – total food waste collected for composting (1) E. Commercial Collection – total waste sent to landfill or incinerator (1) F. Commercial Collection – total recycling collected (1) G. Commercial Collection – total food collected for composting (1) H. Residential recycling quality or contamination (what percentage of recyclable material sent to MRF is diverted to landfill/incinerator) (2) I. Residential recycling material quantities by type (i.e. mixed fibers, plastic #1, glass, etc…) (2) J. Commercial recycling material quantities by type (i.e. mixed fibers, plastic #1, glass, etc…) (1) K. None of the above | 10 |
| Community Wide Materials Management | Zero Waste | The municipality has announced a goal to be zero waste and has created a plan for how they will reach a zero waste goal. Select all that apply. | A. Passed a resolution publicly announcing a goal to be zero waste by 2040 or earlier. (documentation required) (3) B. Passed a resolution publicly announcing a goal to be cut waste by 50% by 2040 or earlier. (documentation required) (2) C. Created a plan for how to reach the zero waste goal including specific recommendations/strategies and timelines for improving recycling quality and quantity, starting or increasing composting, and reducing materials sent to landfill and/or incinerator. (documentation required) (4) D. No | 7 |
| Community Wide Materials Management | Single Hauler Waste Collection | The municipality contracts for residential solid waste and recycling collection as opposed to individual home owners contracting for the same. | A. Yes, Required for Silver, Gold, and Platinum. (3) B. No | 3 |
| Community Wide Materials Management | Multi-Municipal Contract for Waste and Recycling | The municipality contracts for waste collections and materials management in partnership with other municipalities either through a COG or ICAs to improve outcomes and service. There must be only one contract for all partnering municipalities to qualify for these points, not just a joint bidding process. | A. Yes (documentation required) (4) B. No | 4 |
| Community Wide Materials Management | Pay As You Throw | The municipality uses a pay as you throw pricing structure for residential customers. The pricing structure must remain constant or increase with volume and should be designed to incentivize reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality has a pay as you throw pricing for residential customers. (documentation required) (4) B. The pay as you throw pricing structure does not include volume discounts. (2) C. The municipality does not have a pay as you throw structure. | 6 |
| Community Wide Materials Management | Curbside Recycling | The municipality collects or contracts for recycling collection at the curb. | A. Yes (4) B. No | 4 |
| Community Wide Materials Management | Recyclable Materials | The municipality collects the following types of recyclable materials at the curb. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. Aluminum (1) B. Steel (1) C. MIxed fibers (paper or cardboard) (1) D. Glass (1) E. Plastics HDPE and PETE (#’s 1 and 2) (1) F. Plastics Mixed Plastics (#’s 3 thru 7 – please check this if you collect any of these) (1) G. Other (Not including hard to recycle materials or composting – please write what material is being collected in the comment section). (1) | 5 |
| Community Wide Materials Management | Recycling Program | The municipality has a recycling program that includes the following: Select all that apply. | A. updated information on the website or in newsletters about recycling, guidelines for what is accepted, and recommendations for reducing, reusing, and repairing. (1) B. The municipality uses hang tags or sends notices to raise awareness on improving recycling quality. (documentation required) (3) C. The municipality provides free or very low cost recycling bins to improve the quality of the recycling stream. (2) D. The program includes curbside collection or permanent drop off point for hard to recycle items and/or electronics. (2) E. None of the above | 8 |
| Community Wide Materials Management | Recycling Incentives | The municipality has worked with their MRF or hauler to create an incentive structure tied to specific performance outcomes designed to improve the quality of the material sent to MRF and to lower the volume of material sent to the landfill or incinerator. | A. Yes (documentation required) (4) B. No | 4 |
| Community Wide Materials Management | Commercial Recycling Ordinance | The municipality has a waste reduction ordinance for commercial and institutional facilities requiring they recycle at least 5 materials types, including but not limited to: mixed fiber (paper), glass, aluminum, steel, cardboard, #’s 1 and 2 plastics. | A. Yes (documentation required) (4) B. No | 4 |
| Community Wide Materials Management | Composting | The municipality supports or provides composting. | A. The municipality provides curbside brush and leaves collection for at least 10 weeks in the fall with regular pickups. (2) B. The municipality collects and/or provides permanent drop off location for food waste to be composted. (documentation required) (5) C. Promotes education on backyard composting and reducing food waste. (1) D. No | 8 |
| Community Wide Materials Management | Litter Prevention Program | Municipality has an active litter prevention program. | A. Yes (2) B. No | 2 |
| Operations Materials Management | Sustainable Purchasing | There is a written policy in place to encourage sustainable purchasing – the procurement process is tied to general operational policy and focuses on purchasing and/or repairing reusable items before considering single use goods. Single use goods should have high recycled content, be readily recyclable or compostable, and nontoxic wherever possible. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. There is a written procurement process that encourages sustainable purchasing. (documentation required) (2) B. The sustainable purchasing policy is used for all municipal operations. (2) C. The sustainable purchasing policy focuses on repairing and/or purchasing reusable items before considering single use goods. (2) D. No | 4 |
| Operations Materials Management | Internal Recycling Program | All municipal buildings have an active recycling program. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. There is a active recycling program for all municipal operations. (2) B. The program includes composting. (2) C. The program includes informational signage at waste/recycling receptacles. (1) D. There is regular internal communications and training supporting the program and reminding employees. (1) E. No | 4 |
| Operations Materials Management | Tracking Waste | In which of the following ways does the municipality track its waste? Select all that apply. | A. We collect waste data from our hauler(s). 5 B. We collect waste data via audit(s). 7 C. We use a data management system (e.g., Energy STAR Portfolio Manager, etc.) to monitor and record our waste (Documentation required). 10 D. We do not collect waste data (Documentation required). | 10 |
| Operations Materials Management | Waste Audit | Which of the following statements describe your waste audit? Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. Our organization has conducted its own in-house waste audit (e.g., using a checklist found online, etc.) (Documentation required). B. Our organization has undergone a professionally-conducted waste audit (Documentation required). C. Our organization has implemented results from the waste audit (Documentation required). D. None of the above | 7 |
| Operations Materials Management | Sharing waste data | Do you have data to share about the municipality’s waste (organization only, not the whole community)? If so, please select “yes” below and then click “more info” for instructions on how to report. Please note that if you do not provide this data, the municipality will not be able to earn points for quantified waste reduction and/or diversion for the questions that follow. | A. Yes (Documentation required) B. No | 0 |
| Operations Materials Management | Percent waste diverted from landfill | What percentage of the municipality’s total operational waste was diverted from landfill? Please calculate using the total waste and waste diverted from landfill reported for the current year above. See “more info” for calculation instructions. | A. 0% B. 1-24% C. 25-49% D. 50-74% E. 75-99% F. 100% G. We did not measure this | 20 |
| Operations Materials Management | Waste intensity reduction | By what percentage has the municipality reduced its operational waste intensity compared to the baseline performance? Please calculate based on changes between the current year and the base year reported above. See “more info” for calculation instructions. | A. 0% B. 1-4% C. 5-9% D. 10-14% E. 15-19% F. 20-24% G. 25-49% H. 50-74% I. 75-99% J. 100% K. We did not measure this | 32 |
Economic Development and Revitalization
| Subtopic | Criteria Name | Criteria | Answer Options (points) | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic Development | Local Business Support | The municipality supports local businesses and main street or economic development programs. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality has an active main street program or economic development corporation. (documentation required) (2) B. The municipality is collaborating with local businesses to make pedestrian improvements to encourage more foot traffic. (documentation required) (2) C. The municipality supports an initiative to encourage residents to buy local. (1) D. The municipality maintains an inventory of local retail and B2B businesses on its website. (1) E. The municipality does not currently have programs like this. | 6 |
| Economic Development | Support Small Scale Developers | The municipality has policies to incentivize or encourage small-scale developers and developments. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality has reviewed zoning code and related ordinances to assess barriers to small-scale developers. (2) B. The municipality has updated code to allow for incremental development by right or has adopted form-based zoning. (documentation required) (4) C. The municipality supports small-scale developers with special financing tools or programs. (documentation required) (3) D. No | 6 |
| Economic Development | Support MWBE Businesses | The municipality supports or collaborates with a main street program or local economic development corporation to offer training/support for women- or minority-owned businesses. | A. Yes (documentation required) (3) B. No | 2 |
| Economic Development | Workforce Development | The municipality supports or collaborates with a workforce development program to help at-risk populations, or those transitioning away from extractive industries, obtain meaningful employment. | A. Yes (documentation required) (3) B. No | 2 |
| Economic Development | Recognize Sustainable Businesses | The municipality maintains or supports program/s to recognize local businesses or leaders who encourage or improve sustainability. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality recognizes local business or community leaders who foster sustainability in the community or region, either with awards or with posts in local newsletters or on social media. (1) B. There is a program that is supported by the municipality to encourage businesses to be aware of innovative sustainable business approaches and recognize their success. (documentation required) (2) C. No | 3 |
| Economic Development | Sustainable Business Support | The municipal website provides businesses with a list of programs, tools, and resources they can use to improve community sustainability. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The community has a sustainable business landing page that connects businesses to resources to improve sustainability. (1) B. The landing page has information about Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy, Energy Audits or other energy-reduction programs. (2) C. The landing page provides information about the community’s latest planning efforts and related goals (comp plan, ecodistricts, etc). (1) D. The landing page provides links to relevant zoning, permitting and related programs that might be needed by business leaders. (1) E. No | 3 |
| Community Revitalization | Comp Plan Blight | The municipality has a significant number of blighted, vacant, or abandoned buildings and/or brownfields within its jurisdiction. | A. Yes (0) B. No, The municipality has very few or no blighted or abandoned properties (less than 1% of total properties). | 0 |
| Community Revitalization | Blight Mitigation | The municipality is actively working to remediate blighted, vacant, and/or abandoned buildings and/or brownfields in their community. Select all that apply. | A. The municipal comprehensive plan or other relevant community plan has specific recommendations for remediating blighted and abandoned buildings or brownfields in the community. (documentation required) (2) B. The municipality maintains a current inventory of vacant, abandoned, and/or blighted properties. (documentation required) (3) C. The municipality manages or participates in an active program to put blighted, abandoned, or brownfield properties back into productive use. (documentation required) (4) D. No | 9 |
| Community Revitalization | Construction and Maintenance Codes | The municipality has elected to administer and enforce Pennsylvania’s Uniform Construction Code (UCC) and the International Property Maintenance Code (IPMC). Select all that apply. | A. The municipality administers the UCC. (1) B. The municipality administers the IMPC. (1) C. No | 2 |
| Community Revitalization | Rental Inspections | The municipality operates a rental inspection program for all non-owner occupied buildings. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality manages a rental inspection program. (documentation required) (4) B. The rental inspection program includes an energy-efficiency component. (documentation required) (2) C. The rental inspection program includes tests for lead, mold, and/or radon. (documentation required)(2) D. Code enforcement officers are trained on the rental inspection program. (1) E. Results of the rental inspection program are reported annually to the public. (1) F. No | 10 |
| Community Revitalization | Property Demolition Standards | A demolition ordinance has been adopted that includes provisions to ensure the mitigation of harmful pollutants including lead and asbestos. | A. Yes (documentation required) (3) B. No | 3 |
| Community Revitalization | Lead Remediation | The municipality supports or promotes a program to test for and remediate lead in privately owned plumbing systems. | A. Yes (2) B. No | 2 |
| Community Revitalization | Historic Review Commission | A Historic Review Commission is active. | A. Yes (3) (documentation required) C. No | 3 |
Energy
| Subtopic | Criteria Name | Criteria | Answer Options (points) | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Municipal Energy Use | Energy Usage Tracking | Do you track your energy usage? Required for Gold and Platinum. Select all that apply. | A. We monitor and record our energy use. *Required for Gold and Platinum. (5) B. We use a data management system (e.g., Energy STAR Portfolio Manager) to monitor and record our energy use (documentation required). (5) C. None of the above | 10 |
| Municipal Energy Use | Energy Audit | To what extent has the municipality engaged in an energy audit for municipally owned buildings? Select all that apply. See below for required documentation. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. We have conducted an in-house energy audit (e.g., using a checklist found online, etc.) (documentation required). (3) B. We have undergone a professionally-conducted energy audit (documentation required). (4) C. We have implemented some of the recommendations from the energy audit. (2) D. We have implemented all or nearly all of the recommendations from the energy audit (Documentation required) (6) E. None of the above | 10 |
| Municipal Energy Use | Sharing energy data | Do you have a year or more worth of data to share about the municipality’s energy use? If so, please select “yes” below and then click “more info” for instructions on how to report. Please note: you must submit this data to earn points for quantified energy reductions in the following questions. | A. Yes (documentation required) (4) B. No, but we have passed a resolution committing to tracking our energy use going forward (documentation required) (3) C. No | 4 |
| Municipal Energy Use | Percent renewable energy | What percentage of the municipality’s energy use was produced from renewable sources? Please calculate for the current year using the total energy use, renewable energy use, and current year you reported above. See “more info” for calculation instructions. | A. 0% B. 1-24% (5) C. 25-49% (8) D. 50-74% (12) E. 75-99% (16) F. 100% (20) G. We did not measure this | 20 |
| Municipal Energy Use | Energy use intensity reduction | By what percentage has the municipality reduced its energy use intensity compared to the baseline performance? Please calculate based on changes between the current year and base year you reported above. See “more info” for calculation instructions. A reduction is required for Platinum. | A. 0% B. 1-4% (2) C. 5-9% (5) D. 10-14% (8) E. 15-19% (12) F. 20-24% (16) G. 25-49% (20) H. 50-74% (25) I. 75-99% (30) J. 100% (32) K. We did not measure this | 32 |
| Municipal Energy Use | Tracking Scope 1 & Scope 2 GHG emissions | Does the municipality monitor and record its Scope 1 and/or Scope 2 Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions? Please select all that apply. | A. We monitor and record our Scope 1 GHG emissions. (5) B. We monitor and record our Scope 2 GHG emissions. (5) C. We use a data management system (e.g., Energy STAR Portfolio Manager, etc.) to monitor and record our GHG emissions (documentation required). (5) D. None of the above. (documentation requested) | 15 |
| Municipal Energy Use | Sharing scope 1 & 2 GHG data | Do you have data to share with Sustainable Pittsburgh about the municipality’s Scope 1 and/or Scope 2 Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions? If so, please select “yes” below and then click “more info” for instructions on how to report. Please note: you must submit this data if you want to earn points for quantified emissions reductions in the following question. | A. Yes (documentation required) *Required for gold. (4) B. No, but we passed a resolution committing to tracking our scope 1 & 2 GHG going forward. (3) C. No | 4 |
| Municipal Energy Use | Scope 1 & 2 GHG intensity reduction | By what percentage has the municipality reduced its scope 1 & 2 emissions intensity compared to your baseline performance? Please calculate based on changes between the current year and base year you reported above. See “more info” for calculation instructions. *a reduction of any degree is required for Platinum | A. 0% (0) B. 1-4% (2) C. 5-9% (5) D. 10-14% (8) E. 15-19% (12) F. 20-24% (16) G. 25-49% (20) H. 50-74% (25) I. 75-99% (30) J. 100% (32) K. We did not measure this | 32 |
| Municipal Energy Use | Municipally Owned Renewable Energy | The municipality owns or leases, on site or off, a renewable energy system/s. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality has a solar system installed on one of its properties. (documentation required) (6) B. The municipality owns offsite solar production. (documentation required) (6) C. The municipality owns geothermal wells for heating or cooling. (documentation required) (4) D. The municipality owns a wind energy system/s, ether onsite or off. (documentation required) (4) E. No | 10 |
| Municipal Energy Use | LED Street lights and Traffic Signals | Municipality has retrofitted or replaced at least 90% of street lights, outdoor lighting, and traffic signals with LED bulbs. Select all that apply. | A. Yes, the municipality has started the process but does not yet have 90% of their lights converted. (documentation required) (3) B. Yes (documentation required) (5) C. Yes, and in order to further lower energy consumption and lessen dark sky pollution the municipality dims the lights during the least active periods of the night and ensures they are appropriately sized and shielded, or have opted in to their providers service to start doing so. (2) D. No | 7 |
| Municipal Energy Use | Building Retuning | The municipality has trained building operators to fine-tune building operations to conserve energy (i.e., building retuning training) and has created guidelines for how to maintain operations. Select all that apply. | A. The municipal staff in charge of building maintenance and operations have been to at least one course on building retuning in the last 5 years. (1) B. The municipality has a manual or set of guidelines for how to maintain building operations to conserve energy and improve comfort. (documentation required) (1) C. Municipal building operations for key buildings could currently meet the LEED O+M and/or LEED BD+C Standards for SIlver. (documentation required) (3) D. (documentation required) Municipal building operations for key buildings could currently meet the LEED O+M and/or LEED BD+C Standards for Gold. (documentation required) (4) E. Municipal building operations for key buildings could currently meet the LEED O+M and/or LEED BD+C Standards for Platinum. (documentation required) (5) F. No | 7 |
| Municipal Energy Use | Green Building Policy | The municipality has a written green building policy/standard that new construction/major renovations of municipal buildings must meet the International Green Construction Code (IgCC) or incorporate LEED Silver/Gold/Platinum Principles, or Net Zero Energy. | A. Yes, the green building policy sets LEED silver or equivalent as the standard. (documentation required) (3) B. Yes, the green building policy sets LEED gold or equivalent as the standard. (documentation required) (4) C. Yes, the green building policy sets LEED Platinum, Net Zero Energy, or equivalent as the standard. (documentation required) (6) D. No | 6 |
| Community Wide Greenhouse Gas Mitigation | Community Greenhouse Gas Inventory | A greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory has been completed or updated for the entire community within the last 7 years. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality conducted a greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory for the entire community within the last 7 years. This could be part of a larger regional GHG Inventory. Required for Gold and Platinum. (documentation required) (3) B. The municipality created a GHG mitigation plan or climate action plan (CAP) that includes specific recommended goals/actions for the short, medium and long term. This could be part of a larger regional GHG mitigation plan or CAP as long as it mentions specific actions for this municipality. (documentation required) (2) C. The municipality regularly reports to the public on the progress to achieving those goals. (documentation required) (2) D. The municipality has done more than one GHG inventory and has seen a reduction in GHG emissions. Required for Platinum. (1) E. No | 8 |
| Community Wide Greenhouse Gas Mitigation | Community Greenhouse Gas Reduction | The community has reduced greenhouse gas emissions by what percentage since tracking began? Required for Platinum. Use the slider to select the correct percentage. | Number Slider | 50 |
| Community Wide Greenhouse Gas Mitigation | Energy Conservation in Comp Plan | The municipal comprehensive plan contains an energy conservation element that states an energy reduction goal, or makes specific suggestions for how the municipality can encourage and/or incentivize energy conservation and efficiency. Recommendations might include plans to increase walkability, increase efficacy of energy code enforcement, add/improve energy incentives to the development process, etc. Select all that apply. | A. The comprehensive plan contains an energy reduction goal or directly refers to the community’s climate action plan. (documentation required) (2) B. The comprehensive plan makes specific recommendations for how the municipality can promote, encourage, or incentivize energy efficiency and reduction. (documentation required) (3) C. No | 5 |
| Community Wide Greenhouse Gas Mitigation | Energy Conservation Programs | Municipal support is provided to a public program for residents and businesses to conserve energy, promote renewable energy sources, and mitigate carbon emissions. Municipal support can come in the form of direct funding, in-kind donations of time and/or physical resources, and/or assistance with community outreach. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality provides support for a public program to promote renewable energy. (documentation required) (2) B. The municipality provides support for public program to promote energy efficiency. (documentation required) (2) C. The municipality provides support for a home weatherization program that has specific supports for low income residents. (documentation required) (2) D. The municipality provides support for a program that encourages or incentivizes residents to convert HVAC systems and large appliances (stove, water heater, and dryer) to electric power. (documentation required) (3) E. The municipality provides support for a program designed to educate residents and businesses about the benefits of occupant performance and low energy usage improvements in building systems technologies. Information must be found on code or building permit pages. (documentation required) (2) F. No | 8 |
| Community Wide Greenhouse Gas Mitigation | Ready for 100 | The municipality has passed a resolution committing to making the transition to 100% renewable energy, such as Sierra Club’s Ready for 100 initiative. | A. Yes (documentation required) (3) C. No | 3 |
| Community Wide Greenhouse Gas Mitigation | Solsmart | The municipality has achieved the following Solsmart designation. | A. Yes, the municipality has achieved a Solsmart Designation of Bronze. (documentation required) (6) B. Yes, the municipality has achieved a Solsmart Designation of Silver. (documentation required) (9) C. Yes, the municipality has achieved a Solsmart Designation of Gold. (documentation required) (12) D. No (0) | 12 |
| Community Wide Greenhouse Gas Mitigation | Solar Energy Regulation and Guidance | The municipality has taken the following actions to improve market conditions for installing solar energy systems on residential and commercial buildings. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality has updated zoning regulations (preferably working with an expert) to remove any barriers to solar energy systems. (documentation required) (2) B. Residential and commercial ground mounted solar systems considered accessory user are permitted by right in most zoning districts. (documentation required) (2) C. Residential and commercial roof mounted solar systems do not require zoning permits or are permitted by right in most zoning districts. (3) D. The municipality has a solar specific process for permitting solar installations. (documentation required) (2) E. The municipality has a solar landing page on their website for how the solar permitting process works and for providing resources. F. None of the above. (1) | 10 |
| Community Wide Greenhouse Gas Mitigation | Code Enforcement – Energy | The municipality has implemented and is actively enforcing Pennsylvania’s energy-efficiency building codes. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality has conducted an assessment of how well Pennsylvania’s currently adopted energy efficiency building codes are being implemented and enforced. Must have occurred after Oct 1, 2018 when the 2015 IBC codes were adopted. (2) B. Municipal code officials have received training on the energy efficiency codes. (3) C. The municipality has fact sheets about the updated energy codes and the performance testing that is required available on its website, ideally found where those applying for building permits will easily find it. (documentation required) (2) D. None of the above. | 5 |
| Community Wide Greenhouse Gas Mitigation | Energy Benchmarking | The municipality has passed a benchmarking ordinance requiring buildings above a certain square footage to annually report their energy use. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. Yes (documentation required) (3) B. The ordinance includes large multifamily residential buildings. (2) C. The ordinance requires building owners to achieve performance targets or complete additional actions. (2) D. The municipality is an active participant in a 2030 district program. (3) E. No | 8 |
| Community Wide Greenhouse Gas Mitigation | Reported Energy Reduction | What is the reported percentage reduction in energy use for buildings that reported more than once? (documentation required) | A. 0 to 3% (6) B. 4 to 6% (10) C. 7 to 10% (14) D. 11 to 14% (18) E. 15 to 19% (22) F. 20 to 29% (26) G. 30% or greater (30) | 30 |
| Community Wide Greenhouse Gas Mitigation | Performance Standards for Publicly Funded Buildings | A LEED, Living Building, or Zero Energy certification, or similar standards are required to be met for development projects receiving a public incentive. | A. Yes (documentation required) (3) B. No | 3 |
| Community Wide Greenhouse Gas Mitigation | Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) | The municipality promotes their County’s Commercial Property Assessed Clean Energy (CPACE) program. | A. Yes – This must include a prominent link on the municipality’s website and additional promotion, i.e. newsletters, social media, etc. (documentation required) (4) B. No, our county has not adopted a CPACE program and we have or we will ask them to consider starting one. (2) C. No | 4 |
Land Use and Housing
| Subtopic | Criteria Name | Criteria | Answer Options (points) | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Planning and Zoning | Comprehensive Plan Process | The municipality regularly updates and effectively uses their comprehensive land use plan as a community engagement process and a guiding document. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The comprehensive plan had a process for significant stakeholder engagement and included a plan with specific steps for reaching vulnerable and/or marginalized community members. (documentation required) (2) B. The comp plan includes implementable steps of with specific timelines. (2) C. The comp plan includes instructions for who is responsible for the implementable steps. (2) D. The comp plan includes mechanisms or guidelines for reporting progress towards those steps to the public and/or for making adjustments. (1) E. The municipal comprehensive plan is multi municipal. (1) F. None of the above | 6 |
| Planning and Zoning | Updated Zoning | The municipality has up-to-date zoning and related ordinances that reflect the objectives of the comprehensive plan. Select all that apply. | A. The municipal zoning ordinance was amended to achieve the goals of the most recent comp plan. (documentation required) (4) B. The municipality has an up to date subdivision and land development ordinance (SALDO) that reflects the objectives of the comprehensive plan. (documentation required) (3) C. The municipality has passed other ordinances or policies to support or incentivize the objectives of the comprehensive plan. (documentation required) (3) D. No | 10 |
| Planning and Zoning | Planning Officials Education | Two or more of the municipality’s planning officials (planning commission members, planning department staff, code officials) have attended trainings on the following land use topics. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. Racial equity or the history of racial segregation in Pennsylvania or the local region (documentation required) (1) B. Stormwater best practices and policies (documentation required) (1) C. Climate Change or energy reduction policies (documentation required) (1) D. Complete streets or accessible transportation systems (documentation required) (1) E. Other sustainability related trainings (documentation required) (1) F. None of the above | 4 |
| Equitable Housing | Equitable Housing Assessment | An assessment has been completed analyzing the need for affordable/equitable housing in the community and region. It can be a part of the community’s comprehensive planning process or completed by a community organization with municipal support. It is important that the assessment considers the region as a whole, because many communities have been segregated from the issues of the region they exist within. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality has created or supported the creation of an affordable/equitable housing assessment. (documentation required) (3) B. The assessment included considerations for energy burden. (1) C. The assessment included considerations for access to transportation (including walkability and transit). (1) D. The assessment included considerations for fresh food and/or passive and active recreational amenities. (1) E. The assessment included considerations for access to jobs. (1) F. No | 5 |
| Equitable Housing | Equitable Housing Plan | The municipality has a plan to improve access to affordable/equitable residential housing. The plan can be a part of the community’s comprehensive plan or could be created by a community organization with municipal support. Select all that apply. | A. A plan has been created for how to close the needs gap for affordable/equitable residential housing. (documentation required) (2) B. The plan includes specific recommendations with timelines for how to achieve the goals of the plan. (2) C. The community periodically reports to the public on the progress of the plan toward providing access to affordable housing. (1) D. No | 5 |
| Equitable Housing | Housing Opportunities | The zoning ordinance provides for or accommodates a full range of housing opportunities. | A. The municipality allows for more than 6 different types of housing (see the “more info” button for acceptable types). (documentation required) (5) B. The municipality allows for four or five different types of housing. (documentation required) (2) C. None of the above | 5 |
| Equitable Housing | Inclusionary Zoning | The municipality has inclusionary housing incentives/requirements for housing developments or support for affordable housing. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality has inclusionary housing requirements or incentives for housing developments that receive public funding. (documentation required) (5) B. The municipality has affordable housing incentives or requirements for multifamily developments that do not receive public funding. (3) C. The municipality provides support for or promotes local programs for affordable housing. (documentation required) (3) D. The municipality supports or promotes a program to facilitate home ownership within the community; Homebuyer incentives, employer assisted housing, community land trust, etc. (documentation required) (3) E. No | 10 |
| Human Scale Development | Mixed Use in Comp Plan | The comprehensive plan encourages walkable/mixed use development. Select all that apply. | A. The plan calls for retail, offices, commercial services, housing, and civic uses to exist in same district. (1) B. The plan calls for publicly accessible areas within walkable/mixed use neighborhoods. (1) C. The plan calls for compact housing and street design to encourage access to all amenities in those districts. (1) D. None of the above. | 3 |
| Human Scale Development | Mixed Use Zoning | The zoning and SALDO ordinances promote walkable, mixed use development. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The zoning ordinance, SALDO, or district overlays have districts which permit retail, officies, commercial services, housing, and civic uses in the same district. (documentation required) (3) B. The community’s land use ordinances encourage compact design to ensure that the distances between amenities and services are accessible by pedestrians. (2) C. Storefront requirements, signage, and street design are oriented towards the pedestrian. (2) D. The land use ordinances encourage other principles of mixed use/walkable neighborhoods. (2) E. The zoning ordinance incorporates form based zoning to encourage walkable human scale growth. (documentation required) (3) F. No | 10 |
| Human Scale Development | Parking Maximums | Zoning and/or SALDO ordinances have been updated to reduce parking requirements, establish a parking maximum, or to eliminate parking requirements altogether, where transit is available. | A. There are areas within the community with reduced parking minimums for developers. (documentation required) (2) B. The community has replaced parking minimums with parking maximums. (documentation required) (3) C. The community has eliminated parking requirements where access to transit exists. (documentation required) (4) D. No | 4 |
| Human Scale Development | Transit Oriented Development | The municipality has plans or policies to increase or improve Transit Oriented Development (TOD) in the community. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipal comprehensive plan (or related plan) includes recommendations for improving and/or expanding Transit Oriented Development (TOD). (2) B. There are TOD overlays or districts in the municipal land use ordinances for areas with fixed guideway stations and high frequency transit. (documentation required) (5) C. There are zoning and/or other incentives in place for transit oriented development. (3) D. No | 8 |
| Human Scale Development | Land Preservation | The municipality is focused on maintaining, improving, or redeveloping areas as opposed to opening up new land for development and this is reflected in community planning documents and ordinances. Select all that apply. | A. The municipal comp plan calls for limiting the expansion of land development to specific areas while protecting undeveloped land. (2) B. The zoning and SALDO ordinances do not allow for building new developments on undeveloped land, or have it limited to specific infill areas of the community designed to strengthen walkable/mixed-use/compact development. (documentation required) (4) C. No | 6 |
Municipal Operations
| Subtopic | Criteria Name | Criteria | Answer Options (points) | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Engagement | Information Transparency | The municipality communicates regularly with the public about public meetings, municipal news, and other important information. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality has up to date council meeting schedules, agendas, and minutes posted online. (1) B. The municipality broadcasts public meetings on an online platform (Zoom, Facebook, Youtube, Vimeo, etc.) and has links to recorded public meetings on their municipal website. (3) C. Municipality communicates with the public via a regularly scheduled newsletter or regularly updated and dated web based news updates (web based communications must be dated). (2) D. Municipality regularly communicates via Facebook and/or Twitter or a specifically designed civic engagement app like Civic Plus or Nextdoor. (2) E. No | 6 |
| Public Engagement | Volunteer Opportunities | A program exists to actively pursue and match residents and local businesses to volunteer opportunities, including board, committee, and commission positions, and others that will strengthen community engagement and improve capacity for community organizations. This must include an online portal where potential volunteers can enter their information. | A. Yes (documentation required) (3) B. No | 3 |
| Public Engagement | Sustainability Awareness with Students | Municipality works with schools and/or local nonprofits/community organizations to engage students about community issues such as waste reduction and recycling, public safety, wellness, conservation, nature, etc. | A. Yes (1) B. No | 1 |
| Public Engagement | Sustainability Awareness at Events | Municipal-sponsored events (Community Day, Light Up the Night, parades, etc.) have a sustainability-awareness component, i.e. have activities, displays, or a booth helping to explain measures community members can take to improve their sustainability or to illustrate what the community is doing to improve sustainability. | A. 3+ events (3) B. 1-2 events (2) C. No | 3 |
| Finances | Municipal Budget | The municipality utilizes the following best practices for creating, managing, and publicizing the municipal budget. Select all that apply. | A. There is an annual revenue-expenditure trend analysis conducted including 4 previous years. (documentation required) (2) B. The revenue-expenditure analysis projects the budget out for the next 3 years. (documentation required) (2) C. Funds equivalent to a minimum of 2 months worth of expenditures or revenue are carried over year to year. (2) D. When the final budget is advertised it includes working documents to help the public to better prepare themselves to comment on and/or support the final budget. (1) E. The municipal budget includes a written narrative explaining the details of the budget including key points, goals, and/or changes to better communicate important details to the public. Required to earn additional points for funding specific sustainability initiatives in a later question. (documentation required) (2) F. None of the above | 8 |
| Finances | Financial Resiliency | The municipality has studied the potential financial sustainability of short and long term shocks to police, EMS, and fire services and created a financial resiliency plan. | A. Yes (documentation required) (3) B. No | 3 |
| Finances | Budget Narrative | The budget includes a written narrative explaining the details of the budget including key points, goals, and/or changes to better communicate important details to the public. Select all that apply. | A. The budget includes funding for the community sustainability program or efforts (2) B. The budget includes funding for equity trainings or initiatives (2) C. The budget includes funding for transportation projects that improve multimodal access and/or carbon reduction. (must go beyond maintenance or repaving work) (2) D. The budget includes funding for sustainable water projects (2) E. The budget includes line items for land conservation or park projectsn (2) F. The budget includes line items for Climate Action Plan or carbon reduction actions not related to other answers in this section. (2) G. No | 10 |
| Finances | Pensions and Long Term Obligations | The municipality has financially assessed obligations for pensions, labor contract proposals for their duration, and other post-employment benefits. | A. Obligations for pensions/other post-employment benefits are funded for the long-term to at least 80%. (documentation required) (4) B. The municipality financially assesses each labor contract proposal for the contract’s duration looking specifically at how the overall costs will affect the community’s budget (looking at pensions, leave, healthcare, salaries, etc.). (2) C. No | 6 |
| Finances | Capital Improvement Plan | The community has an up-to-date capital improvement plan. Select all that apply. | A.The municipality has a capital improvement plan that was created within the last 5 years and/or was updated in the last 3 years. (documentation required)(3) B. The capital improve plan has implementable steps. (1) C. The capital improvement plan includes specific recommendations to make energy, water, waste, and/or equity improvements to new or existing infrastructure. (2) D. The municipality annually reports to the public on the progress of the capital improvement plan. (1) E. No | 5 |
| Regional Cooperation | Council of Governments | Municipality is an active participant in a Council of Governments and regularly attends functions, participates in projects, and pays dues. | A. Yes (4) B. No | 4 |
| Regional Cooperation | Shared Services | The community shares services or equipment with neighboring communities or has studied what it would take to do so. For example snow removal equipment, public works employees, etc. Sharing of public safety services covered in next section. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality shares services, personnel, or equipment with a neighboring municipality such as snow removal, a utility truck, or a public works function. (3) B. The municipality has done a recent feasibility study including a cost benefit analysis to look at sharing services with neighboring communities. (1) C. None of the above | 3 |
| Regional Cooperation | Intergovernmental Cooperation Agreements | The municipality utilizes written Intergovernmental Cooperative Agreements (ICA) to engage in multi-municipal endeavors. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality has at least one written intergovernmental cooperation (ICA) agreement (updated in the last 15 years). (documentation required) (2) B. The ICA included a written process for conflict resolution. (documentation required) (1) C. No | 3 |
| Regional Cooperation | Sharing Resources with Public Schools | The municipality and local public schools cooperate to share facilities and other resources. For example, the municipality assists with the cost of evening lifeguards for community use or the provision of crossing guards. | A. Yes (2) B. No | 2 |
| Regional Cooperation | Planning with School District | Municipal planning is coordinated with the school district and the two meet together at least once per year. | A. Yes (2) B. No | 2 |
| Equitable Policies and Practices | Diversity and Inclusion Plan | Develop a diversity and inclusion vision and plan for the municipality. Required for Gold and Platinum | A. The municipality has developed a diversity and inclusion vision for the municipality. Required for Gold. (documentation required) (3) B. The municipality has adopted a broad and inclusive definition of workforce diversity. (documentation required) (2) C. The municipality has developed a strategy or plan to achieve the diversity and inclusion vision. Required for Platinum. (documentation required) (3) D. None of the above. | 8 |
| Equitable Policies and Practices | Diversity and Inclusion Actions | The municipality has taken or regularly takes the following actions to ensure it is improving organizational diversity and inclusion. Some of these steps could be included as part of vision, strategy, or plan development. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality has a written and implemented policy to ensure a wide range of candidates are sought, encouraged to apply, and interviewed for all municipal job openings. The policy should include a targeted outreach plan. (documentation required) (3) B. The municipality has assessed the wage gap for all positions based on protected class status. (2) C. The municipality has assessed organizational barriers to inclusion with the help of a employment professional. (2) D. The municipality has written job descriptions for every position and clear employment policies that have been reviewed by a solicitor or qualified labor attorney. (2) E. The municipality annually or periodically assesses, and reports to the public, diversity of all boards, employees, volunteers, committees, etc. (2) F. The municipality has formed partnerships with community or cultural groups to notify underrepresented groups of open positions or committee seats. (2) G. None of the above | 8 |
| Equitable Policies and Practices | State/Federal Diversity Trainings | The municipality has held the following trainings (or had municipal officials attend) on state and federal laws within the last three years. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. Equal opportunity employment (1) B. Sexual Harassment (1) C. Americans with Disabilities Act (1) D. Age Discrimination in Employment Act (ADEA) (1) E. Other (PHRC Trainings, etc) F. None of the above | 4 |
| Equitable Policies and Practices | Equity Trainings | The municipality has provided diversity, equity, and inclusivity training for municipal employees. These trainings must go beyond state and federal requirements. (documentation required) Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. Cultural Diversity (1) B. Implicit Bias (2) C. Justice, Equity, Diversity and Inclusivity (JEDi) Training (1) D. How to review and implement racially just and equitable public policy (2) E. None of the above | 4 |
| Equitable Policies and Practices | Equity Programs | The municipality has participated in PML’s Race Equity And Leadership (REAL) program, the Pennsylvania Heart and Soul program, or a similar program. | A. Yes (3) B. No | 3 |
| Equitable Policies and Practices | Welcoming Community | The municipality is engaged in programs to communicate that the community is welcoming to persons who represent diversity. For example: sister city relations, diversity sensitivity training, multilingual signage, etc. (documentation required) Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality has a sister city in a non-European Country (1) B. The municipality has multilingual signage and/or website information. (1) C. The municipality regularly features people of color and other ethnicities on the website, newsletters, and other marketing materials accessible or sent to residents and businesses. (2) D. The community actively supports public events celebrating social and cultural diversity such as MLK day, Juneteenth, Pride, Cinco de Mayo, etc. (1) E. None of the above | 4 |
| Equitable Policies and Practices | Equitable Policy | The municipality has implemented policies to improve the creation of public policy that is equitable and to improve access to the political processes. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality publicizes efforts to make accessible and equitable infrastructure improvements. (2) B. There is a municipal policy ensuring that municipal information about purchasing, bids and contracts are intentionally distributed to Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprises. (documentation required) (2) C. the municipality has used or is using a tool or process, like the Sustainable States Network Equity in Action Toolkit, to assess an update to or the creation of a public policy. (3) D. None of the above | 5 |
Parks and Land Conservation
| Subtopic | Criteria Name | Criteria | Answer Options (points) | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Land Conservation Management | Land Conservation Planning | The municipal comprehensive plan includes recommendations: Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. (documentation required) | A. for protecting woodlands and increasing tree cover in the municipality. (1) B. for preserving environmentally sensitive and/or ecologically significant areas. (1) C. for protecting productive agricultural areas. (1) D. for promoting community gardens and infill green space. (1) E. for expanding and/or improving parks, recreational spaces, and open space. (1) F. connecting parks and open with greenways and trails. (1) G. to expand park access so a majority of residents are within a walkable distance to a park. (must be under 1 mile – suggest 1/2 mile and have a goal of at least 90% of population) (1) H. to conserve and enhance areas where important wildlife and fish habitats exist and promote connectivity to allow species to migrate to suitable habitat (e.g., using land exchanges, conservation easements, leases; by removing barriers, etc.). (1) I. None of the above. | 6 |
| Land Conservation Management | Infill and Green Space | Municipal land use ordinances protect or expand valuable green space and ecologically important assets including: Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. improving parks/recreation, publicly accessible open space with greenways designated to connect parks and trails (documentation required) (3) B. zones or districts where ecologically valuable green space and productive agricultural areas are maintained and/or expanded (documentation required) (3) C. Community gardens, and urban agriculture are permitted by right (documentation required) (3) D. tree/woodland replacement criteria (2) E. none of the above | 9 |
| Land Conservation Management | Ecological Policies and Incentives | The municipality has written policies and/or incentives to conserve environmentally and ecologically sensitive places, including: (documentation required) Select all that apply. | A. Slopes over 25% and/or slide prone soils and geology (2) B. Natural springs and vernal pools (2) C. Mature woodlands (2) D. Natural Heritage Areas (2) E. Other please describe in comments section (2) F. None of the above | 6 |
| Land Conservation Management | Agricultural Security Areas | The municipality has an active Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Security Area (ASA) program. | A. Yes (3) B. No | 3 |
| Land Conservation Management | Transfer of Development Rights | A Transfer Development Rights (TDR) program is in place to incentivize development where infrastructure currently exists and to protect important green space. | A. Yes (documentation required) (4) B. No | 3 |
| Parks and Habitat Programs | Conservation Programs | The municipality manages, supports, and/or promotes programs or policies for land or habitat conservation including: Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. tree planting; tree maintenance programs; tree hazard and health assessment projects; and/or computerized assessment of municipal trees (2) B. outdoor recreation and ecotourism. (2) C. sustainable forestry by promoting Scientific Certification Systems under the Forest Stewardship Council and Sustainable Forestry Initiative standards in collaboration with DCNR. (documentation required) (3) D. community land trust/s to protect undeveloped green space or floodplains. (1) E. programs that protect wildlife and fish habitat and species that support recreational opportunities like hunting, fishing, and wildlife viewing. (1) F. education for recreational land users about the importance of climate change impacts on ecosystems and the dangers of illegal hunting and fishing, pollution, and development. (1) G. None of the above | 6 |
| Parks and Habitat Programs | Complete Parks | The municipality has been actively building out green space and parks to ensure access to all citizens. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality has built or is in the process of building trail or walkable connections to all major parks, green spaces, and significant community amenities (grocery stores, community centers, libraries, etc…). (documentation required) (4) B. The municipality maintains or is currently building out the municipal park system such that everyone in the community is a walkable distance (generally less than .5 miles) away from a publically accessible park or green space. (documentation required) (does not apply to rural areas that are not on public water and sewer infrastructure). (4) C. Parks that have been built or redesigned in the last 10 years included a robust public input process. (3) D. All municipal parks have been reviewed and redesigned to ensure access to those of all abilities. (3) E. The municipality used a Crime Protection Through Environmental Design (CPTED) process to design or redesign a municipal park. (2) F. None of the above. | 12 |
| Parks and Habitat Programs | Sustainable Landscape Plan and Practice | Sustainable landscape maintenance practices are used for all parks and municipal grounds. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality has a defined organic landscaping plan in place and is implementing the plan to develop and maintain municipally owned green spaces. (documentation required) (2) B. The municipality has deployed alternatives to grass lawns on publicly owned green space, including replacing lawns with meadows, native plants, and trees. (documentation required) (3) C. The municipality only uses organic fertilizers. (1) D. The municipality does not use synthetically produced chemical pesticides or herbicides and provides information to the public on their website about why it avoids using them. (2) E. The municipality uses electric or hybrid lawn equipment (2) F. The municipality limits water use by planting appropriate native species and timing waterings to conserve water. (2) G. None of the above. | 8 |
| Parks and Habitat Programs | Sustainable Residential Lawns | The municipality has passed an exception for no-mow or natural alternatives to residential lawns to aid in the absorption of stormwater, improve pollinator habitat and lower carbon emissions. Select all that apply. | A. Yes, the municipality amended their property maintenance code to permit no mow or natural alternatives to lawns in residential and/or commercial areas. (documentation required) (4) B. The municipality provides information about this practice and its benefits on the municipal website.(1) C. No | 5 |
Public Health and Safety
| Subtopic | Criteria Name | Criteria | Answer Options (points) | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Public Safety | Public Safety Planning | The municipality has evaluated the efficacy of the community’s emergency preparedness systems and has a plan for maintenance or improvement. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality has assessed the efficacy of the community’s emergency preparedness systems. (2) B. The municipality has a public safety plan to ensure staffing and financial resources keep pace with needs for Police, Fire, and Emergency Medical Services. (documentation required) (2) C. There is a policy in place to regularly review existing emergency response resources, systems, and plans. (1) D. No | 5 |
| Public Safety | Public Safety Cooperation | The municipality collaborates with neighboring municipalities in the provision of public safety services. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. Municipality maintains updated public safety mutual aid agreements with neighboring municipalities and shares resources. (2) B. Municipality participates in a regional service program or contracts services to or through other municipalities for firefighting services. (2) C. Municipality participates in a regional service program or contracts services to or through other municipalities for police. (2) D. Municipality participates in a regional service program or contracts services to or through other municipalities for EMS. (2) E. No | 4 |
| Public Safety | Harm Reduction | The municipality has assessed the state of the opioid epidemic or drug related incidences in their community, created a response plan, and has policies in place to mitigate the problem. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The community has assessed the state of the opioid epidemic in their community or has done so in partnership with a larger regional entity (COG, County, Health Dept., etc.). (1) B. The community has a written plan for proactively dealing with the epidemic. (documentation required) (2) C. The municipality has a formal policy for all public safety officers to carry Narcan for use on members of the public. (documentation required) (2) D. The municipality has Narcan and information for recovery services available for the general public. (1) E. the municipality has a policy where police officers are encouraged to exercise discretionary authority at point of contact to divert individuals to a community-based, harm-reduction intervention for law violations driven by unmet behavioral health needs or Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD). (documentation required) (3) F. The municipality has hired or works with an agency to provide a social worker to accompany law enforcement officers for certain types of calls. (3) G. No | 8 |
| Public Safety | Equity Training for Public Safety Officers | Municipal public safety officers have participated in equity training. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. Public safety officers have participated in PML’s Race Equity And Leadership (REAL) program. (documentation required) (4) B Public safety officers have participated in an implicit bias and/or diversity and inclusion training designed for public safety personnel. (documentation required) (4) C. No | 4 |
| Public Safety | Community Engagement with Law Enforcement | The police chief or other public safety officers offer a regular public forum (quarterly at the minimum) providing an opportunity for the public to discuss community concerns with police commanders. For example: ‘Coffee with Chief’ or regular neighborhood community meetings. | A. Yes (4) B. No | 4 |
| Health and Wellness | Local Food Access Planning and Policy | The municipality supports local food access by assessing access, planning, and/or supporting programs or policies that increase local food access. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality completed or was party to a food access assessment. This could be a part of another type of community assessment or plan. (documentation required) (2) B. The community has a plan for improving access to health foods (this could be a part of another community plan) or supports a local organization that does. (documentation required) (2) C. The municipality supports educational programs for residents on the benefits of organic and locally purchased food. (1) D. The municipality supports local farmers markets or food stands in the community. (2) E. The local farmers market or stand accepts snap or similar benefits. (documentation required) (2) F. The municipality hosts and/or supports a community produce garden that is open to the public. (2) G. The municipality supports and/or promotes meal programs for vulnerable populations. (2) H. No | 8 |
| Health and Wellness | Zoning for Urban/Small Scale Agriculture | The municipality has passed a zoning ordinance permitting urban or suburban agriculture (small-scale or accessory-use) by right and setting guidelines for urban or suburban livestock. Select all that apply. | A. The zoning ordinance includes small-scale or accessory-use agriculture by right in one or more residential or mixed-use district. (documentation required) (4) B. The municipality has guidelines permitting urban or suburban livestock in residential or mixed-use districts (2) C. No | 6 |
| Health and Wellness | Health in Comp Plan | Improving community health and wellness are specifically mentioned as a goal or issue in the municipality’s comprehensive plan. | A. Yes (2) B. No | 2 |
| Health and Wellness | Health and Wellness Programs | The municipality considers and promotes health and wellness. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality provides access to recreational opportunities and amenities to promote active and healthy lifestyles (this can include ecotourism, river/creek access for fishing, hiking and walking trails with programming, etc.). (3) B. The municipality runs, supports, and/or promotes, exercise and/or wellness programs for all age groups. (2) C. The municipally runs or supports community wellness program/s addressing issues of mental health, such as social isolation, suicide prevention, PTSD/Trauma and/or others. (2) D. A program to promote safe walking to school is in place. (Including trails in suburban and rural communities) (2) E. None of the above | 6 |
| Health and Wellness | Air Quality Education | The municipality provides information and education related to air quality issues. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality posts or shares links to daily information about local air quality on the municipal website and encourages residents to reduce outdoor activities on low air quality days. (documentation required) (2) B. The municipality hosts air quality monitors on municipal facilities and makes the information available to the public via the municipal website. (documentation required) (3) C. Municipality supports public education regarding reducing air pollution and emissions. (1) D. No | 4 |
| Health and Wellness | Air Quality Enforcement | The municipality enforces policies to improve air quality and limit resident exposure to sources of poor air quality. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. A burn ban has been formally adopted and made part of municipal ordinance, and State or County outdoor wood fired boiler construction and operation is in accordance with state law. (2) B. The municipality enforces the state’s anti-idling law, including posting signs in high traffic areas and near vulnerable populations (schools, nursing homes, outdoor event areas, etc.) (2) C. The municipality provides informational pamphlets to locations with signage and/or hands them directly to violators. (2) D. No | 4 |
Strategic Engagement and Resilience
| Subtopic | Criteria Name | Criteria | Answer Options (points) | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sustainability Program | Sustainable Pennsylvania | The municipality has passed a resolution to affirm (or reaffirm) participation in the Sustainable Pennsylvania Community Certification Program. Required for Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum. | A. Yes (documentation required) (2) B. No | 2 |
| Sustainability Program | Sustainability Program | The municipality has a sustainability program. Required for Gold and Platinum. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality has a Sustainability Program that includes specific goals and guiding principles This could be a ecodistrict or climate action plan as well but must include provisions for equity. Required for Gold and Platinum. (documentation required) (2) B. An executive/management level municipal staff person has responsibility for management of the municipal sustainability program expressly included in their job description. (documentation required) (2) C. The goals of the sustainability program are aligned with the goals of the community’s comprehensive plan. (1) D. There is ongoing training for municipal employees and officials with the goal of advancing the objectives of the municipal sustainability program. (2) E. Procedures are in place to measure and track the impacts of the sustainability program and periodically report to the public the results. (documentation required) (2) F. No | 9 |
| Sustainability Program | Sustainability Team | The community has an active sustainability team, an Environmental Advisory Council (EAC), or comparable body that has at least one board member, one staff member, and one resident who is responsible for advising and/or creating policy and conducting outreach related to all three aspects of sustainability: Environment, Equity, and Economy. Required for Gold and Platinum. | A. The municipality has an active sustainability team, EAC, or comparable committee that has incorporated all three aspects of sustainability. Required for Silver, Gold, and Platinum. (documentation required) (5) B. The municipality has an EAC or comparable committee, but has not yet incorporated all three aspects of sustainability in the body’s focus or does not include at least one board member, staff member, or resident. (2) C. No | 5 |
| Sustainability Program | Sustainability Team Goals | The sustainability team has goals, and reports annually to the public on its progress towards achieving those goals. Select all that apply. | A. The sustainability team has specific goals. (2) B. The sustainability team has annual operating funds from the municipality’s annual budget. (documentation required) (4) C. No | 6 |
| Sustainability Program | Ecodistricts | The municipality participates in an ecodistrict process for one or all of its neighborhoods. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality has or is actively convening or participating in the convening of community partners exploring the potential of creating an ecodistrict within the community. (2) B. There is an active ecodistrict process in the municipality with a designated backbone organization planning with community/district level partners to create an ecodistrict plan for the community or a district within it. (2) C. The municipality has created or supported the creation of an ecodistrict plan that includes implementable steps for at least the next 2 years. (documentation required) (3) D. Significant steps of the ecodistrict plan have been implemented and results have been reported to the public. (documentation required) (3) E. The municipality is not currently involved in an ecodistrict process. | 10 |
| Sustainability Program | Professional Development | There is ongoing professional development for municipal personnel and officials that includes participating in programs with (at a minimum of once per year) Pennsylvania Municipal League, Local Government Academy, PA DCED or other Pennsylvania municipal training association programs. | A. Yes, professional development has occured at a minimum of once per year for all or most staff and/or elected officials. (2) B. No. | 2 |
| Resiliency Planning | Resiliency Assessment and Plan | The municipality has done a resiliency assessment and has created a resilience plan. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality has performed or has participated in a regional assessment of hazards and potential risks of climate change. (documentation required) (3)B. The municipality has created a resiliency plan either as part of a climate action, comprehensive, or ecodistrict plan, or as a stand alone document. (documentation required) (2) C. The plan includes a set of implementable actions including listing those responsible for taking actions to mitigate or adapt to the vulnerabilities found in the resiliency assessment. (2) D. The municipality reports to the public periodically the results of the work laid out in the plan. (2) E. No | 7 |
| Resiliency Planning | Community Emergency Response Team | The community has created and trained a Community Emergency Response Team (CERT) or a similar group of citizens to assist in the event of a disaster. Select all that apply. | A. The community has created a CERT or similar volunteer response team (beyond what the Volunteer Fire or EMS team does) to assist in the event of a disaster. (2) B. The CERT has created a disaster response plan in collaboration with municipal and/or other public safety authorities. (documentation required) (2) C. No | 4 |
| Resiliency Planning | Flood Response Plan | The municipality has created a flood response plan as a part of their emergency response plan. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality has a flood evacuation plan. (documentation required) (2) B. All municipal staff and volunteers have been trained on the details of the flood evacuation/response plan. (1) C. The municipality has done practice drills including the general public with the flood evacuation or disaster response plan. (2) D. The flood evacuation plan has steps to ensure at risk community members are assisted in the process. (documentation required) (2) E. No | 7 |
| Resiliency Planning | Vulnerable Populations | The community has identified vulnerable populations in the community to prepare for emergencies and created a registry to check in on those citizens in the case of an emergency. Select all that apply. | A. The community has identified at risk or vulnerable populations. (2) B. The community publicizes the ability to sign up for the registry on the municipal website or communications. (documentation required) (1) C. The community has worked with at risk or vulnerable groups to develop response, evacuation, and/or recovery plans. (2) D. No | 5 |
| Resiliency Planning | Emergency Communications Plan | The community has conducted emergency communications planning and/or has adopted a reverse 911 system. This can be part of disaster preparedness process. Select all that apply. | A. Yes, the community has conducted emergency communications planning. (2) B. The community uses a reverse 911 system. (2) C. No | 4 |
| Resiliency Planning | Resilient Government Operations | Key government operations have planned to provide low impact backup power supply on-site to protect important security features in the case of more frequent or prolonged blackouts. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality has installed battery backup with on site or mobile solar generation to provide power for important government operations. (documentation required) (4) B. The municipality has battery storage sufficient to operate key functions for prolonged blackouts (2 to 3 days). (documentation required) (3) C. The municipality uses a clean power generation method for backup that was not mentioned above. (2) D. No | 7 |
Transportation
| Subtopic | Criteria Name | Criteria | Answer Options (points) | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transportation Planning | Transportation and Comprehensive Planning | The comprehensive plan includes transportation-related recommendations and/or goals related to climate change, equitable access, and improving community health outcomes. Those transportation-related recommendations or goals include: (documentation required) Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. Lowering carbon emissions (1) B. Improving overall safety outcomes (vision zero) (1) C. Improving community health outcomes through active transportation (1) D. increasing equitable access to all modes of transportation (1) E. Reduce Vehicle Miles Traveled (VMTs) (1) F. Increase bicycle, transit, and pedestrian commuting (1) G. The above recommendations/goals include specific and measurable goals (ex. a VMT reduction goal). (2) H. There is a requirement or a practice of reporting outcomes to the community on an annual or periodic basis. (2) I. None of the above | 8 |
| Transportation Planning | Regional Transportation Planning | Community Leaders are actively involved with regional planning discussions/processes around improved transit and active transportation options. Select all that apply. | A. municipal leaders actively attend and support regional transportation planning initiatives or collaborations, including for example with a Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO), County, Council of Government (COG) or other regional organization. (3) B. The regional organization that the municipality is involved with, has created a transit or active transportation plan. (2) C. No | 5 |
| Mobility Options | Bike Friendly Community | The municipality has earned a “Bike Friendly Community” status from the League of American Bicyclists or is part of a regional entity that has. | A. Yes (2) B. No | 2 |
| Mobility Options | Bike Friendly Community Status | What “Bicycle Friendly Community” level did the municipality earn? (documentation required) | A. Bronze (2) B. Silver (3) C. Gold (5) D. Platinum (7) E. Diamond (10) | 10 |
| Mobility Options | Bicycle Policy and Infrastructure | The municipality has created and is implementing plans and policies to improve bicycle infrastructure and increase bicycle usage. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality has a plan for a bicycle infrastructure network that will reach a majority of the municipal population and commercial businesses with protected and/or separated bike lanes. (documentation required) (1) B. Bicycle infrastructure is required in SALDO and neighborhood development overlays (this must include trails, protected bike lanes, or paths.) (documentation required) (3) C. The municipality actively promotes bicycling with information provided on its website, newsletter, and/or other communication networks. (2) D. Regional public transit permits bicycles on its vehicles and/or has bike storage at key locations. (2) E. The municipality has bike racks at key locations around the town. (2) F. Police are trained on the rights and responsibilities of bicyclists and state law on passing bicycles. (2) G. None of the above. | 12 |
| Mobility Options | Built Bicycle Infrastructure | The municipality has built out a bicycle infrastructure network that reaches a significant portion of the population (within 1/2 mile); the infrastructure must be constituted primarily of protected or separated bike lanes, and/or dedicated trails, and less than 50% of the system is comprised of ‘share the road (sharrows)’ or ‘on road/unseparated ‘ routes. (documentation required) | A. The municipality has bicycle infrastructure that reaches 25% of the population (5) B. The municipality has bicycle infrastructure that reaches 50% of the population (7) C. The municipality has bicycle infrastructure that reaches 75% of the population (9) D. The municipality has bicycle infrastructure that reaches 95% of the population (10) E. The municipality does not yet have significant bicycle infrastructure. (0) | 10 |
| Mobility Options | Transit Policy and Infrastructure | The municipality has passed transit policies or built transit-related infrastructure. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality has completed or participated in a transit access assessment either as a stand alone process or as part of a comprehensive planning or ecodistrict process. This can also be part of a regional process. (2) B. The municipality has implemented projects to improve first/last mile connections for transit riders by installing and/or updating small scale infrastructure. (documentation required) (3) C. Information is collected, shared, and/or work is done in collaboration with transit authority (2) D. The municipality actively promotes the use of transit on its website, newsletter, and/or other communication networks. (2) E. The municipality has not yet implemented policies or infrastructure related to transit. | 7 |
| Mobility Options | Transit Policy and Infrastructure | The municipality has passed transit policies or built transit related infrastructure. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality has completed or participated in a transit access assessment either as a stand alone process or as part of a comprehensive planning or ecodistrict process. This can also be part of a regional process. (2) B. The municipality has implemented projects to improve first/last mile connections for transit riders by installing and/or updating small scale infrastructure. (documentation required) (3) C. Information is collected, shared, and/or work is done in collaboration with transit authority (2) D. The municipality actively promotes the use of transit on its website, newsletter, and/or other communication networks. (2) E. The municipality has not yet implemented policies or infrastructure related to transit. | 9 |
| Mobility Options | Complete Street Policy | The municipality has passed a complete streets policy and it has earned a grade from the National Complete Streets Coalition. | A. The municipality has passed a complete streets policy and it has not been graded or has not earned a grade of 15 points or more from the Complete Streets Coalition (See ‘more info’ for a link with recent CSC scores). (documentation required) (2) B. The municipality has a complete streets policy and it has earned a grade of 15 points or higher from the Complete Streets Coalition. (documentation required) (3) C. The municipality does not yet have a complete streets policy. | 3 |
| Mobility Options | Complete Streets Coalition Score | The municipal complete streets policy has earned a Complete Streets Coalition score. (documentation required) Use the slider to select the correct score. | Number | 16 |
| Mobility Options | Complete Streets Policy Specifics | The municipal complete streets policy: (documentation required) Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. calls for creating a complete and connected network of transportation for all modes and uses language indicating that it “shall” be done. (3) B. requires that complete streets be supported in any zoning and planning updates. (3) C. has led to updating SALDO, Zoning, and overlay ordinances to support the policy, including the requirement for private developers to comply. (3) D. requires that all new construction and reconstruction/retrofits accommodate all users (ie. pedestrians, bicyclists, people with disabilities, etc.). (2) E. requires all maintenance projects and ongoing operations, such as resurfacing, repaving, restriping, rehabilitation, or other types of changes to the transportation system to account for the needs of all users. (3) F. includes a clear and accountable process for exceptions to the policy. (2) G. requires workshops or other training opportunities be provided for transportation, planning, public works, and/or relevant staff. (2) H. does not yet include any of the items above. | 14 |
| Mobility Options | Sustainable Transportation Policies and Practices | The municipality is developing and maintaining residential multimodal infrastructure. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality is developing and maintaining bicycling and walking trails that extend and connect the community’s sidewalks, key community assets/amenities, and park systems. (4) B. The municipality has created a sidewalk improvement program that provides incentives to property owners to maintain and/or rebuild their sidewalks and/or is actively building sidewalks where there are gaps in neighborhood connections. (3) C. The municipality is not developing or maintaining multimodal infrastructure | 7 |
| Vehicle Carbon Reduction and Efficiency | Vehicle and System Efficiency | The municipality has plans or policies designed to improve vehicle efficiency and shift drivers to more sustainable forms of travel. The goals of vehicle efficiency programs or practices should be secondary to protecting the safety, convenience, connectivity, and accessibility of the system for bicycle, pedestrian, and other non-motorized vehicular traffic. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality supports a program to educate citizens and/or business on the benefits of transportation demand-side management. (1) B. Access management and/or congestion management programs have been evaluated and are being implemented to improve the flow of traffic and lower carbon emissions. (2) C. The municipality is implementing smart signalization in high volume vehicular transportation corridors. (documentation required) (2) D. Carpooling/vanpooling is promoted and/or facilitated by the municipality. (2) E. None of the above | 5 |
| Vehicle Carbon Reduction and Efficiency | Parking Policy | The municipality has analyzed and/or implemented parking policy to increase efficiency and improve street-level parking access. Select all that apply. | A. A parking study or analysis has been done to assess available parking for one or more commercial business districts. This could be stand alone or as part of Comp Plan. (documentation required) (2) B. Parking fees or permitting has been updated to improve traffic flow, reduce “circling”, and improve street level parking access for local businesses. (2) C. No | 4 |
| Vehicle Carbon Reduction and Efficiency | Electric Vehicle Adoption | The municipality is taking steps to improve Electric Vehicle (EV) adoption in the community. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality has assessed EV Infrastructure and created a plan for where the municipal government should install chargers on government owned property. (2) B. Public Electric Vehicle charging stations are available at all or most municipally owned lots. (documentation required) (4) C. Municipality provides information about available EV charging infrastructure on its website. (1) D. The municipality has not yet taken steps to improve EV adoption. | 5 |
| Vehicle Carbon Reduction and Efficiency | Low Carbon Fleet Assessment and Plan | The municipality has completed a vehicle fleet assessment to analyze the potential for lower- or zero-carbon vehicles, right-sizing vehicles for the job/trip requirement, replacing older diesel trucks or equipment with cleaner technology. Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. A low carbon vehicle fleet efficiency assessment has been completed. (1) B. A low carbon fleet replacement plan has been adopted and it includes goals and benchmarks. (2) C. A policy is in place to calibrate and maintain vehicles and track fuel efficiency/carbon reduction. (1) D. The municipality has replaced one or more vehicles with hybrids or electric vehicles. (documentation required) (3) E. The municipality has replaced more than 50% of its vehicles with hybrid or electric vehicles. (documentation required) (5) F. The municipality uses GPS Trackers on municipal vehicles to monitor efficiency and test efficacy of calibrations. (2) G. The municipality has not yet assessed its fleet or implemented carbon reducing actions related to the municipal fleet. | 8 |
| Vehicle Carbon Reduction and Efficiency | The municipal fleet has lowered it fuel-based carbon footprint by X%. Please consider carbon from supplied electricity unless EVs are charged from an installed renewable energy system. (documentation required) Use the slider to select the correct percentage. | Number | 20 |
Water
| Subtopic | Criteria Name | Criteria | Answer Options (points) | Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water Planning and Protection | One Water Plan | The municipality has created an integrated water resources management (IWRM) or a ‘One Water’ plan to protect water quality, human health, and community assets. Choose all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. The municipality has a One Water plan or is a part of a regional One Water plan. (documentation required) (1) B. The process of creating the plan included robust stakeholder engagement, specifically seeking input from marginalized community members. (2) C. The plan includes a description of existing wastewater, stormwater, and watershed systems, and summary information describing the systems current performance and use. (2) D. Green alternatives were evaluated and regenerative natural alternatives are identified in the plan. (3) E. The plan includes a proposed implementation schedule. (1) F. The municipality is regularly assessing and measuring the progress of the implementation of the One Water plan and the results are reported to the public. (documentation required) (1) G. The municipality does not have a one water plan or comparable plan. | 8 |
| Water Planning and Protection | Water Plan Specifics | The comprehensive plan (or separate water-specific plans that are currently in use – such as a One Water plan or a flood mitigation plan) includes recommendations for: Select all that apply. Please note: This question limits maximum points making it possible to earn 100% credit without choosing all answer options. | A. encouraging low impact development or enhanced stormwater management techniques to manage stormwater runoff and onsite stormwater infiltration where geologically effective. (1) B. protecting and preserving wetlands, waterways/riparian buffers. (1) C. reclaiming developed land where flooding has occurred regularly and/or at increasing intervals and is contributing to significant flooding elsewhere in the watershed. (1) D. protecting homes and properties where vulnerable populations are at significant risk of flooding. (1) E. One or more of the above items are benchmarked and progress towards the goal is tracked and reported on. (2) F. None of the above | 5 |
| Water Planning and Protection | Official Map | The municipality has an up-to-date official map for land or water bodies that the municipality intends to restore, preserve, and protect. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality has an up to date official map to protect future land uses such as open space, trails, and/or parks. (documentation required) (2) B. The municipality has an up to date official map that specifically identifies wetlands, riparian buffers, and/or waterways. (documentation required) (2) C. No | 4 |
| Water Planning and Protection | Wetland Protections | The municipality has an ordinance aimed to incentivize or mandate the protection and/or restoration of riparian buffers, wetlands, and waterways. | A. Yes (documentation required) (4) B. No | 4 |
| Water Planning and Protection | Municipal Wetland Projects | The municipality is actively working to restore wetlands and riparian areas, expand or revise current minimum riparian buffer zones, and/or implement living shoreline programs to provide natural flood abatement, breeding habitat, and improved stream conditions. | A. Yes (documentation required) (4) B. No | 4 |
| Water Planning and Protection | Stormwater Management Program | The municipality has developed and implemented a Stormwater Management Plan of Best Management Practices including all 6 minimum control measures, including Public Education and Outreach, Public Participation, Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination, Construction Site Runoff Control, Post Construction Runoff Control, and Pollution Prevention/Good Housekeeping, to meet the MS4 requirements. | A. Yes (4) B. No | 4 |
| Stormwater and Flooding | Capital Investment Plan for Water | A water infrastructure capital assessment has been completed and an improvement plan developed with a budget to ensure that investments are being made to water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure systems to keep pace with maintenance and operations to improve water quality, and green infrastructure strategies are prioritized over grey. | A. Yes (documentation required) (3) B. No | 3 |
| Stormwater and Flooding | Low Impact Development Requirements | The municipality requires, incentivizes, or promotes green infrastructure techniques or “enhanced stormwater management” to mitigate runoff from onsite stormwater, such as pervious pavement, bioswales, and/or green roofs. Select all that apply. | A. The municipality requires or incentivise new developments or redevelopments to utilize green infrastructure. (documentation required) (4) B. The municipality promotes green infrastructure through incentives, design guidelines, and/or support for educational programs/workshops. (2) C. No | 6 |
| Stormwater and Flooding | Flood Zoning | Construction in flood zones is strictly controlled and limited. Select all that apply. | A. No building of any kind is permitted in floodways. (documentation required) (2) B. No new building is permitted in an area deemed an “AE Flood Zone” and any redevelopment must be built to meet or exceed the Flood Resistant Provisions of the 2015 (or newer) International Codes. (documentation required) (2) C. The municipality has a written policy to purchase and demolish any buildings in high risk flood plain areas. (documentation required) (2) D. No | 6 |
| Stormwater and Flooding | Community Rating System | The municipality is an active participant in the National Flood Insurance Program Community Rating System. (documentation required) | A. Yes with a score of 9 or 10 (1) B. Yes with a score of 7 or 8 (4) C. Yes with a score of 6 (5) D. Yes with a score of 5 or better. (6) E. No | 6 |
| Stormwater and Flooding | Watershed Collaboration | The municipality is working collaboratively with neighboring municipalities and community groups. Select all that apply. | A. The community collaborates with other municipalities and authorities in their watershed to manage source water, treatment and distribution, sewage, and stormwater. (4) B. The municipality collaborates with (or has recruited/fostered) a watershed group or organization to protect and improve the wetlands and waterways located in the community’s watersheds. (2) C. No | 6 |
| Water Conservation | Water Conservation Pricing | The municipal water, sewer authority, and/or water supplier has created and adopted a pricing structure designed to conserve water usage, where the price per unit increases with volume of water consumed or conveyed. (no volume discounts) | A. Yes (3) B. No | 3 |
| Water Conservation | Water Conservation Promotion | The municipality or municipal authority supports or promotes a program for residents, institutions, and/or businesses to conserve water. | A. Yes (2) B. No | 2 |
| Water Conservation | Sharing water data | Do you have data to share about the municipality’s water use (the water the municipality uses, not the community at large)? If so, please select “yes” below and then click “more info” for instructions on how to report. Please note that you must submit data for this question to be eligible to earn points for water use reductions in the next question. | A. Yes (Documentation required) B. No | 0 |
| Water Conservation | Water use intensity reduction | By what percentage has the municipality reduced its water use intensity compared to the baseline performance? Please calculate based on changes between the current year and base year reported above. See “more info” for calculation instructions. | A. 0% (0) B. 1-4% (2) C. 5-9% (5) D. 10-14% (8) E. 15-19% (12) F. 20-24% (16) G. 25-49% (20) H. 50-100% (25) I. We did not measure this. | 25 |
On Ramp Questions
| Subtopic | Criteria Name | Criteria | Answer Options (points) | Max Points |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Demographics/ Preliminary Information | Municipal Type | By which municipal code is the municipality governed? | A. Borough B. 1st Class Township C. 2nd Class Township D. 1st Class City E. 2nd Class City F. 3rd Class City G. Home Rule Charter | 0 |
| Demographics/ Preliminary Information | Transit | Does the municipality have fixed route transit lines that serve the community? | A. Yes, the municipality has fixed guideway transit (busway, light rail, or commuter rail) or high frequency transit (generally every 15 to 20 minutes even during off-peak hours). B. Yes, the municipality has at least one transit line with one or more stops within the community, but there are no high frequency or fixed guideway transit lines. C. No | 0 |
| Demographics/ Preliminary Information | Commercial District | Does the community have one or more commercial districts or a central business district? Select all that apply. | A. Yes B. There are several historic buildings in the commercial district. C. No | 0 |
| Demographics/ Preliminary Information | Metropolitan Statistical Areas | Is the municipality located in one of Pennsylvania’s Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs)? Select all that apply. | A. Yes – Please also select which MSA from the list below. B. Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington C. Pittsburgh D. Allentown – Bethlehem – Easton E. Harrisburg – Carlisle F. Scranton – Wilkes Barre G. Lancaster H. York – Hanover I. Reading J. Erie K. East Stroudsburg L. State College M. Chambersburg – Waynesboro N. Lebanon O. Johnstown P. Altoona Q. Williamsport R. Gettysburg S. Bloomsburg – Berwick T. No | 0 |
| Demographics/ Preliminary Information | Low to Moderate Income | Does your municipality have one or more census tracts that would qualify as low to moderate income (LMI) according to HUD’s definition. | A. Yes B. No | 0 |
| Demographics/ Preliminary Information | Agricultural Land | Does the municipality have a significant amount of agriculturally productive land or land zoned for agriculture as the principle use? | A. Yes, 5% or more of the land in the municipality is zoned for agriculture. B. No | |
| Demographics/ Preliminary Information | MS4 Permits | Is the municipality required to file a Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Permit? | A. Yes B. No | 0 |
| Demographics/ Preliminary Information | Community Flood Risk | The community has one or more areas of the community with residential or commercial buildings at risk of flooding according to FEMA’s officials maps or maps pending updates. | A. Yes (0) B. No | 0 |
| Demographics/ Preliminary Information | Police Department | Does the municipality operate its own police department or participate in a regional police force? | A. Yes, the municipality has its own police force or participates in a regional police force. B. No, the municipality relies on State Police for public safety needs. | 0 |
| Demographics/ Preliminary Information | Comprehensive Plan | Does the municipality have a comprehensive plan that was produced within the last 15 years or was significantly updated or amended within the last 7 years? | A. Yes (documentation required) (4) B. No | 4 |