Energy
Cellulosic Ethanol a Reality
Cellulosic ethanol - biofuel produced from non-edible plant material - has been 'five years out' for a long time. Obstacles remain to mass production, but a handful of producers are up and running.
Saudi Oil Minister Warns Against Moving Quickly to Alternative Energies
In a speech in Houston on Tuesday, Saudi Arabia Oil Minister Ali al-Naimi expressed concern that too much emphasis on alternative energies would mean lack of funding for oil investments.
With Higher Densities Come Smaller Footprints
This article's author reports his and economist Matthew Kahn's recent findings on metropolitan areas and carbon emissions. As it turns out, living in a high density area is one of the best things one can do for the environment.
The Fight to Line Dry
Now that the eco-friendlier--albeit more unsightly--way to dry laundry is making a comeback, line-drying activists go face-to-face with homeowners associations to make it safe to do it.
SF a Model for Casual Carpooling
"Casual carpooling," an informal system involving commuting with complete strangers, has taken off in the Bay Area. Passengers and drivers cite money, time, and the environment for its success.
Where Will the Money Go?
Now that the $838 billion American Recovery and Reinvestment Act passed the Senate, where will the money go? Stimulus Watch has a breakdown of every project by state, and by type. Here are links to the transit, roads, energy, and housing projects.
Renewable Industry Sags Due To Credit Crisis
The New York Times reports that the renewable energy industry is hurting badly in this recession. Lack of available credit is the main reason, and while the stimulus bill may help, it will not be the solution.
Kunstler Receives Seaside Prize
Attendees packed the room for the presentation of the Seaside Prize to James Howard Kunstler and to hear new urbanist luminaries discuss the current state of the economy.
EPA's Emissions Waiver Not Enough
This editorial lauds the new president for acting hastily on granting the waiver to allow CA and 13 states to require higher mileage vehicles, but warns it must not be an end in itself. A higher gas tax, it notes, will do more to reduce emissions.
Driving On A Beer Buzz
Sierra Nevada Brewing Co. is working with startup E-Fuel to create gas from their brewing yeast waste.
Building Codes Gone Green
From Boston to Austin to L.A., more and more cities across the U.S. are making efforts to reduce their carbon emissions and environmental impact by instituting green building codes.
Good for Enviros, Chore for Landlords
The newly passed stimulus bill's sustainability elements are blessings for green builders and environmentalists. As far as commercial property owners are concerned, however, those elements may be seen as too much work for little benefit.
Google and NASA Team Up to Save the World
Futurist Dr. Ray Kurzweil is part of a team of big thinkers on the faculty of Singularity University, a joint project of Google and NASA with a mission to solve "humanity's grand challenges."
Monitoring the Effects of Bad Driving
In an effort to improve gas mileage, 400 drivers in Denver participated in an experiment that tracked and reported the bad driving habits -- idling, rapid accelerating and braking -- that waste fuel. Faced with the data, driving habits have changed.
Vehicle Retirement Program Considered For Stimulus
A program known as ‘cash for clunkers’ is being considered for inclusion in the Senate stimulus package to make the U.S. auto fleet more fuel-efficient and stimulate demand for new, cleaner cars. Will the older vehicles will be scrapped or resold?
A Major Step Toward An Ambitious Energy Goal
The City of Austin is set to take in a record amount of solar power to advance towards a goal of deriving 30% of local energy from renewable sources by 2020.
Futuristic, Carbon-Neutral Plan for Azerbaijan
A futuristic-looking, carbon-neutral development is rising on the shores of the Caspian Sea in Azerbaijan, featuring residential buidlings designed to mimic the country's famous Seven Peaks.
Global Warming Slips In Public's Consciousness
Global warming has slipped precipitously in the public's mind as a top concern, as the nation's recession took the number one slot in a Pew Research Center telephone poll. In fact, it ranked last in a list of 20 issues, yet 'energy' was #6.
Coastal-Heartland Energy Divide (Amongst Democrats)
It's not Blue vs. Red, but Green vs. Brown when it comes to energy policy debates on Capitol Hill.
Wind Power Proposed For Windy Alaskan Villages
The Alaskan government has announced plans to build wind turbines in six small villages along the state's windy western coast. Locals applaud the investment.
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
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
