Energy

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

July 2, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Heat map of extreme heat in rural U.S. communities.

Data: In Rural America, Mobile Homes are Heat Traps

Extreme heat is often viewed as an urban problem, but rural communities face their own unique risks.

June 29, 2025 - The Daily Yonder

Close-up of green and white sign for 1 hour EV charging station outdoors with tall palm trees in background against blue sky.

Judge Reverses Federal Funding Freeze for EV Infrastructure

A federal judge ordered the Trump administration to release funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program, a $5 billion program aimed at improving charging infrastructure.

June 25, 2025 - News From the States

Close-up on PG&E "SmartMeter" electricity meter on side of building.

Improving Indoor Air Quality, One Block at a Time

A movement to switch to electric appliances at the neighborhood scale is taking off in California.

June 24, 2025 - Inside Climate News

New five-story apartment building under construction.

Opinion: How Geothermal HVAC Lowers Costs, Improves Grid Resilience

Geothermal heating and cooling systems can reduce energy costs and dramatically improve efficiency.

June 22, 2025 - Greater Greater Washington

Map of EV charging ports in rural U.S. communities.

The EV “Charging Divide” Plaguing Rural America

With “the deck stacked” against rural areas, will the great electric American road trip ever be a reality?

June 20, 2025 - The Daily Yonder

Street scene in Kathmandu, Nepal with yellow minibuses and other traffic.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs

Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

June 15, 2025 - Fast Company

Distant view of oil derrick on barren plain with harsh sun in background.

Texas Moves to Curb Orphan Wells, But Critics Say Loopholes Remain

A proposed state law would shift financial responsibility for sealing unused drilling sites from the public to energy operators, though some advocates question its effectiveness due to industry-backed exemptions.

June 9, 2025 - Texas Public Radio

Ground level view of Alaska Pipeline oil pipeline near Prudhoe Bay, Alaska with bare mountains in background.

New Alaska Bitcoin Mine Would Burn as Much Energy as the State’s Largest Coal Plant

Fueled by “stranded” natural gas, the startup hopes to become the largest in the US, and to make Alaska an industry center.

June 8, 2025 - Alaska Beacon

Train with black oil tankers.

Supreme Court Ruling in Oil Railway Case Guts Federal Environmental Law

The decision limits the scope of a federal law that mandates extensive environmental impact reviews of energy, infrastructure, and transportation projects.

June 5, 2025 - NPR

Large pile of unsorted garbage in landfill with birds flying above at sunrise or sunset.

Colorado Landfills Emit as Much Pollution as 1M Cars

Landfills are the third-largest source of methane pollution in Colorado, after agriculture and fossil fuel extraction.

June 3, 2025 - Colorado Newsline

Waffle House restaurant in rural open area with large yellow and black sign and several cars parked in front.

Starting in 2026, You Can Charge Your EV at Waffle House

The 24-hour chain infamous for brawls and, to a lesser extent, waffles plans to install fast-chargers at many of its locations.

May 23, 2025 - Jalopnik

Two Rivian trucks charging at Rivian branded charging ports.

US Senate Reverses California EV Mandate

The state planned to phase out the sale of gas-powered cars by 2035, a goal some carmakers deemed impossible to meet.

May 22, 2025 - CALmatters

Electric car charging station with several Chevy Bolts charging in parking lot of store in Bellingham, Washington

Electric Grid Capacity Could Hamstring EV Growth

Industry leaders say the U.S. electric grid is unprepared for the increased demand for power created by electric cars, data centers, and electric homes.

May 21, 2025 - GovTech

Electric vehicle charging station with white cars plugged in

States File Lawsuit Over EV Charging Funds

A coalition of states sued the Trump administration over its suspension of funding for the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program.

May 13, 2025 - The New York Times

"Radiation Zone, Keep Out" sign on wood post with red Arizona desert mesa in background

Integrating Human Rights Into Energy and Extractive Sector Transitions

Why just transition efforts must move beyond economic considerations by embedding human rights principles into business practices to ensure equitable, transparent, and accountable outcomes for affected communities and workers.

May 12, 2025 - Cambridge University Press

Close-up of dirty pipe at oil drilling operation.

Mapping Groundwater Risks from Orphan Wells Across U.S. Aquifers

A new USGS study reveals that more than half of the nation’s documented orphan wells lie within aquifers supplying the vast majority of U.S. groundwater, posing widespread risks of contamination from aging, unplugged infrastructure.

May 12, 2025 - EcoWatch

Aerial view of Chicago with river in foreground.

Chicago Approves Green Affordable Housing Plan

The Mayor’s plan calls for creating a nonprofit housing corporation tasked with building affordable housing that meets Green Building standards.

May 8, 2025 - CBS News Chicago

Electric car charging area in a parking lot at a Costco in Clermont, Florida.

House Committee Proposes $250 EV Tax

The fee is higher than the average tax paid by gas-powered vehicle owners.

May 8, 2025 - The Washington Post

Front of Walmart store with sign.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network

The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

May 7, 2025 - Inc.

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.