Energy
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
'Something we’ve never seen before:' rising utility rates could strain city finances nationwide
Data centers, climate change and other factors have caused utility rates in the United States to increase by 38% since 2020.
Despite court ruling, Trump is keeping nearly all wind projects in the US on hold
At least 110 wind energy projects have not heard from the government since a federal judge ruled that the Trump administration's freeze on wind turbine clearances was likely illegal.
Data centers are consuming nearly 25% of Oregon’s power
The state has 111 data centers, with 32 more either planned or under construction.
Nation's most wind-powered state turns to coal as data centers increase energy demand
For the first time in decades, Iowa has increased its generation of coal power.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
EPA erases limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants
Under Monday’s plan, power plants would still have some limits on how much mercury, arsenic and other contaminants they can emit.
States that voted for Trump are building the majority of new solar farms
The Trump administration has made it more difficult to build solar farms on federal land, and congress has scaled back tax credits for the industry.
Revenue from 4,000 acre solar project on Navajo Nation will not directly go to local tribe members
While the project is estimated to generate over $310 million in lease and tax payments, the funds will go to the Navajo Nation Administrative Service Centers rather than local residents.
As Texans face soaring electricity costs, a public health crisis looms
Demand for electricity in Texas is surging, largely driven by data centers and other industries, and residential customers are footing the bill.
Judge halts EPA plan to override California vehicle pollution standards
In her decision, Judge Beryl A. Howell wrote that the EPA’s actions “undermines honest compliance with the law.”
Through ‘questionable’ means,Trump is paying to make offshore wind power disappear
The East Coast is in need of renewable energy, but wind farm developers face permit revocations and stop-work orders from the Trump administration.
The newest state on the virtual power plant frontier: Illinois
The state's "Clean and Reliable Grid Affordability Act" is the latest jumpstart for the VPP market, which turn individual homes into green energy producers.
Why a Colorado River water conservation agreement is so hard to reach
As the nation's two largest reservoirs hit their lowest levels on record, what would it take to avert the crisis? An expert weighs in.
New house bill proposes taxing data centers based on electricity usage
Revenue from the bill would evenly fund five different federal projects.
Swapping your gas car for an EV is greener than keeping it, research shows
An EV repays the 'carbon debt' caused by building it after 4,400 miles.
Climate change could double household water costs in some cities, study finds
New research suggests that climate change-related stressors are straining municipal water systems.
Misinformation and 'AI slop' are hamstringing rural solar development
False claims about the potential drawbacks of solar farms are prompting some communities to reject potentially lucrative energy projects.
Court unfreezes $20B in federal climate grants
A U.S. Court of Appeals ruled that the Trump administration potentially violated the Inflation Reduction Act by attempting to claw back grants awarded under the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund program.
DC energy efficiency rule requires buildings to upgrade their infrastructure or face millions in fines
Building owners and condo co-op members say the upgrades are often prohibitively expensive.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
City of Wisconsin Rapids
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
KFH Group Inc.
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
