Energy

Line of 18-wheeler trucks on a highway in Tennessee

Biden's Truck Pollution Rule Hanging by a Thread

Four House Democrats joined all but one Republican to enact the Congressional Review Act to roll back President Biden's rule on heavy truck pollution approved by the EPA last December. The Senate had earlier narrowly passed the joint resolution.

May 30, 2023 - The Hill

Wind turbines sillhouetted against a sunset sky along roadway in New Mexico

New Power Transmission Line Approved in the Southwest

The proposed transmission line will transfer wind-produced power from New Mexico to cities in Arizona and California.

May 26, 2023 - U.S. News And World Report

Bird's eye view of parking lot with solar panel canopies

Editorial: California’s Solar Potential Lies in Roadways, Parking Lots

Environmentalists are raising the alarm about massive solar farms in the unspoiled desert. Why not install more solar panels along state-owned highways and in parking lots instead?

May 22, 2023 - Los Angeles Times

Blue sign with white gas pump symbol with electric plug and "EV"

Plan for U.S.-Canada EV Corridor Announced

U.S. and Canadian officials revealed plans for an electric vehicle charging network that will connect Kalamazoo and Quebec City with EV chargers every 50 miles.

May 19, 2023 - Detroit Free Press

White electric tranasit bus plugged into a charging station

Flaws in Federal Clean Transit Programs

Two programs designed to help transit agencies shift to electric and zero-emission fleets contain rules that could slow the adoption of zero-emission vehicles.

May 18, 2023 - Transportation for America

Solar panels on roof of grey residential building

HUD Announces Grants for Efficiency Retrofits in Multifamily Housing

A new program will fund solar panels, heat pumps, and other measures aimed at reducing emissions, improving air quality and resident health, and reducing heating and cooling costs.

May 16, 2023 - U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development

Hand holding candle toward small electrical fuse box in the dark

California Developments Wait Months for Power

In areas served by PG&E, new developments sometimes have to wait months before the utility will turn on the power, creating extra costs for builders and keeping new affordable housing units off the market.

April 25, 2023 - Politico

Pile of Lego bricks lined up by color

LEGO Building Carbon-Neutral Factory in Virginia

The Denmark-based toy company just broke ground on a new carbon-neutral run factory in Chesterfield County near Richmond, Virginia.

April 24, 2023 - The Construction Specifier

Renewable Energy

Major Wind Power Transmission Line Approved by BLM

The new power line will connect the nation’s largest onshore wind project to southwestern states.

April 21, 2023 - Grist

Natural gas stove with blue flame

Berkeley’s First-in-Nation Natural Gas Ban Overthrown by Court Ruling

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Berkeley does not have the power to mandate electric hookups in new development because a federal rule preempts the local regulation.

April 18, 2023 - Bloomberg Law

Electric big rig truck plugged into charging station

Can Federal Emissions Standards Hasten the Transition to EVs?

The EPA unveiled two far-reaching rules to tighten emission standards for light, medium and heavy duty vehicles that can only be met by transitioning to zero-emission vehicles. The proposal is certain to be challenged in court as an agency overreach.

April 17, 2023 - The New York Times

Close-up of back of white electric Audi SUV plugged into charging station

When ‘Zero Emission Vehicles’ Aren’t

The growing popularity of large, heavy SUVS—and the energy needed to produce and operate them—could limit the environmental gains made by electric vehicles.

April 11, 2023 - Streetsblog USA

Electirc vehicle charing stations are visible in the parking lot of a Walmart store.

Walmart to Expand EV Charging Facilities to Thousands of U.S. Locations

A private effort will make a major contribution to the domestic capacity for electric vehicles.

April 11, 2023 - Walmart

Close-up of row of electric car charging stations in a covered garage structure

Dramatic Decline in New EV Models to Qualify for Federal Tax Credit

The Treasury Department released long-awaited rules required by the historic Inflation Reduction Action on March 31 that will determine which electric vehicle models purchased after April 17 will qualify for a federal credit up to $7,500.

April 7, 2023 - The Verge

White and yellow MBTA bus in Cambridge, Massachusetts with brick buildings in background

Boston Bus Garage Delays Jeopardize Electrification Goals

With garage construction behind schedule and over budget, it appears doubtful that the MBTA will be able to convert its fleet to electric buses by its self-imposed deadlines.

April 5, 2023 - The Boston Globe

Oil well pump jack sillhouetted against a colorful sunset sky in California's San Joaquin Valley

Holding Oil Companies Accountable for California's High Fuel Prices

Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law a first-in-the-nation bill that would penalize California's oil refineries for excessive profits. Will it lower the state's highest-in-the-nation fuel prices?

April 4, 2023 - San Francisco Chronicle

Concept rendering of white electric big rig truck plugged into charging station

Half of California Trucks to Be Electric by 2035

The state wants to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles across the board, but concerns linger about the technology’s road readiness.

April 3, 2023 - The New York Times

Aerial view of small town of Beacon, New York in the Hudson Valley

Hudson Valley City Bans Fossil Fuels in New Construction

Beacon will require all-electric appliances in new buildings starting next year.

March 23, 2023 - Food & Water Watch

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

Federal Alternative Fuel Charging Grant Funding Announced

The grant program is part of the 2021 infrastructure act, which promised to invest in charging and fueling stations for electric cars and other vehicles powered by alternative energy.

March 16, 2023 - Route Fifty

Close-up of Pacific Gas & Electric Company title carved into building facade, flanked by two statues of utility workers

Delays in Power Hookups Force New Buildings To Sit Empty

Hundreds of residential and commercial buildings in the San Francisco Bay Area are vacant, waiting for electric connections from PG&E.

March 13, 2023 - San Francisco Chronicle

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.

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