Energy
Locals Peeved About New 'Clean' Scottish Power Lines
A 137-mile clean energy transmission line has been approved in the UK, connecting wind and wave power facilities near the coast. But some environmental groups are not happy about the plan.
Embattled Cape Cod Wind Farm Hits Spiritual Speedbump
After lobbying from two Native American tribes, the Nantucket Sound has been made eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places, creating a possible further delay of a proposed wind farm off the coast of Cape Cod.
Can Thorium Save Us?
Thorium is much cleaner, more efficient and safe than uranium, and doesn't leave any waste that can be weaponized. Could a thorium-based nuclear power industry save the U.S.?
Ensuring Sustainability in Federal Buildings
Change Observer interviews Casey Jones, the director of design excellence and the arts for the U.S. General Services Administration about green building and sustainability in urban design.
Portland Wants to Make Eco-Roofs and Solar Easier
Portland, Oregon planners are updating the city's zoning to make home improvements for solar panels and eco-roofing easier to do, but some developers think it will actually make things more difficult.
New Hydrogen Tech May Eliminate CO2 Problem
The current means of generating hydrogen for fuel results in a release of carbon dioxide emissions. Researchers think aluminum may be the solution to the pollution.
Denver Nudging Locals Towards Electric Cars
This piece from Grist looks at electric-vehicle infrastructure in Denver, which may be a model for other cities looking to encourage the purchase and use of electric vehicles.
A Glut Of Oil Refinery Capacity
Americans are driving less. Moreover, alternative fuels, be they electricity or biofuels, will become more common while efficiency of conventional vehicles increases. This article looks at the effect of the VMT reduction, et.al. on oil refineries.
Improving on LEED
Bay Area non-profit TransForm has launched a new program called GreenTRIP that aims to supplement LEED requirements with a VMT calculation on each project.
Look into the Crystal Ball
Next American City asked prominent urban thinkers for their opinions on what 2010 will hold for the world. Here are their responses.
The Coming Transition to Electric Cars
A new report from PikeResearch predicts the future for electric vehicles in 2010, including the prediction that hybrids will dominate the market.
Utah Approved as Temporary Nuclear Dumping Ground
The state of Utah and the Department of Energy have come to an agreement that will allow depleted uranium storage within the state, at least temporarily. Additional reviews are needed before the state officially stores the nuclear waste permanently.
Perpetual Energy From Magnets
Steorn, an Irish company that claimed six years ago to have invented an engine that puts out more energy than it uses, finally presents a model of the technology for the public to see.
Green Retrofits Required in New York City
The New York City Council has passed a suite of bills hat require green retrofits on the city's buildings.
Steamy Streets
The steam rising from New York City streets in the winter offers a lesson about urban infrastructure, according to this explainer form Urban Omnibus.
Scandinavian Cities Top European Green City Index
In a study released by Siemens AG and The Economist Intelligence Unit, Copenhagen tops the list of the greenest cities in Europe (out of a pool of 30 cities that were considered).
Wind Woes
A North Dakota man says he'll fight his city to keep his wind turbine.
LEED's Energy Problem
Two recent studies on the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED certifications have found that many of the building's with the green certification are actually energy hogs. This piece from The Atlantic offers an explanation.
Danish Government Pushes Electric Cars With Envious Perks
But will they be enough to entice Danes to buy them? It may hinge on the availability of charging points and battery switching stations promised by "Better Place" of Palo Alto, CA and the Danish utility, Dong Energy.
Property Values Not Hurt By Proximity to Wind Turbines
According to a new report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, the proximity of homes to wind turbines showed no average negative impact on property values.
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.
Tyler Technologies
New York City School Construction Authority
Village of Glen Ellyn
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
