Climate and Energy

STAR category: Climate

Fayetteville is committed to being an energy efficient, resilient community. We pursue this goal in order to create the most affordable, safe and healthy neighborhoods, for current and future citizens. We are committed to reducing harmful climate impacts and promoting resource efficiency through decreased energy, water and materials use.

Climate and Energy 2019 Report Card

Energy Report Card 2019

City Government Energy Updates

Energy Action Plan 2020 report by Peter Nierengarten, Environmental Director (June 8, 2021)

2019 Energy Usage Report
2018 Energy Usage Report
2017 Energy Usage Report
2016 Energy Usage Report
2015 Energy Usage Report

Current City Projects

Energy Action Plan button

Energy Action Plan

The Energy Action Plan was adopted by City Council on January 2nd, 2018. The plan outlines steps to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate while achieving better resource efficiency in four key sectors: buildings, energy supply, transportation and solid waste. The actions and strategies in each sector contribute to the overall greenhouse gas reduction goals at the heart of the plan. More information can be found on the Energy Action Plan web page.

City to use 72% clean energy and save $6 million with solar agreement with Ozarks Electric Coop
Recycling truck dumping load of used plastic bottles

Solar Array Project

A trilateral agreement among City of Fayetteville, Ozarks Electric Cooperative and Today's Power, Inc. (TPI) for the development, construction and operation of Arkansas’s largest solar power system on municipal land and the only one in the state with onsite utility-scale storage.

Recycling and Trash Master Plan

On February 21st, 2017, the Fayetteville City Council adopted a new Solid Waste Reduction, Diversion and Recycling Master Plan. The plan aims to reduce waste, increase diversion from the landfill and drive up recycling participation across the city. The plan sets a target goal of 40% waste diversion from landfills by 2027, which would more than double the current diversion rate of 18%.

Flooded field of small crops

Climate Change Education

The City of Fayetteville has made available information, data and research from the EPA archived Climate Change website. While this information may not be readily available on the EPA's website right now, Fayetteville is committed to providing our citizens with information about climate change and the actions we can take in response. 

LED Street Light

LED Street Light Pilot

The City of Fayetteville and Ozarks Electric Cooperative teamed up to complete an LED street light pilot project in late 2017. Ozarks Electric Cooperative replaced 16 traditional bulbs with LED bulbs and measured resident responses to perceived safety, quality of light and light color. The pilot had an overwhelmingly positive response from residents.

Community Resources

  1. AEP-SWEPCO ELECTRIC

SWEPCO's Energy Improvement Rebates Program offers rebates for the quality installation of eligible products and services that improve the energy efficiency and comfort of the existing homes of SWEPCO residential customers. These rebates are designed to reduce the initial costs associated with energy-efficient home improvements. The Program also enrolls qualified contractors to provide customers with access to a network of experienced and licensed contractors to perform installations and energy efficiency services.

  1. OZARKS ELECTRIC
A2E2: Arkansas Advanced Energy Equity program logo

PACE - Property Assessed Clean Energy

The City of Fayetteville has created, by ordinance, Energy Improvement District No. 1 (Reference Appendix A) that is authorized to create special tax assessments for financing renewable energy, energy efficiency and water conservation improvements on real property. This was made possible by a program called A2E2 (Arkansas Advanced Energy Equity).

Example of Energy and Water Saving Kit, including a caulk gun, low flow shower head, CFL light bulbs

Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Program 

The Community Resources Division offers free Energy Efficiency and Weatherization Kits for qualifying low-to-moderate income residents of Fayetteville. The kits are intended to improve living conditions and reduce energy usage and cost by installing simple energy efficiency upgrades to dwellings. Each kit includes energy efficient light bulbs, caulk, weather stripping, low-flow faucets and several other essential energy saving items.

recycle something logo

Recycle Something!

Americans generate 25% of the total garbage on the planet and Arkansans are well above the national average. You can make a difference by reducing waste at home and saving money in the process. The City of Fayetteville rewards people for producing less waste through its Pay-As-You-Throw and recycling programs. This website will explain how to do just that! Everything from what to look for when purchasing items at the store to using your organic waste for composting.