Energy

Mount Rainier

Seattle Mayor Calls for ‘Low-Pollution Neighborhoods’

An executive order signed last week consolidates actions the city plans to take to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

December 14, 2022 - The Urbanist

View of black oil wells behind chain link fence with barbed wire top

Los Angeles To Phase Out Oil Drilling

The city has banned new wells and will end all extraction within two decades.

December 6, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

Wall of computer servers with blue and yellow cables for cryptocurrency mining

New York Temporarily Bans Crypto-Mining

Could New York State’s ban on the energy-intensive activity foreshadow similar actions in other parts of the country?

December 2, 2022 - Curbed

View looking up at multi-story building on commercial street in Bethesda, Maryland

Montgomery County To Require Decarbonized New Construction

Under a new bill, most new buildings will be banned from using natural gas in an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and shift to all-electric power.

December 1, 2022 - DCist

Solar panels in a green field

U.S. Renewables To Outpace Coal and Nuclear in 2022

The production of renewable energy in the United States is on track to surpass other energy sources this year, but the nation must maintain record high production levels to meet its climate goals.

November 28, 2022 - Scientific American

An electric vehicle charger with an American flag sticker is shown plugged into a car.

Electric Vehicles Require Real Progress—Not Lip Service—on Equity

Communities of color are already being left behind as the nation prepares the infrastructure for an electric future.

November 28, 2022 - Marqus Cole

Houses on green hillside in Marin County, California

Marin County Mandates Building Electrification

Starting January 1, all new buildings in the county must be electric-powered, while multifamily apartment buildings will be required to provide electric car chargers.

November 23, 2022 - Globe St.

Traffic light with green light on and green right turn arrow on

Tampa Pilots Solar Sidewalks

The city is testing solar panels embedded in sidewalks as a backup power supply for traffic lights.

November 23, 2022 - Smart Cities Dive

Palm Springs

New Scoping Plan Sets Carbon Neutrality Goal for California

California has long led the nation in efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. A law approved in 2006 still provides direction for the state’s efforts.

November 21, 2022 - Los Angeles Times

View of cars in traffic from behind with visible tailpipe emissions

Comprehensive Transportation Emission Reduction Planning

Many jurisdictions have ambitious greenhouse gas emission reduction targets and are developing plans to achieve them. This column discusses the factors that should be considered in this planning process.

November 17, 2022 - Todd Litman

Rendering of 14-story Chestnut Commons building at twilight

‘Passive House’ Development Brings 275 Affordable, Efficient Units to Brooklyn

A 14-story tower uses the ‘Passive House’ approach to drastically reduce energy use and improve quality of life for residents.

November 15, 2022 - Bloomberg CityLab

Electric big rig truck plugged into charging station

How Utilities Can Prepare for Vehicle Electrification

As more electric cars and trucks hit U.S. roads, large charging stations could require as much power as a small town.

November 15, 2022 - Bloomberg Green

Solar panels shading cars in parking lot in Avignon, France

France Mandates Solar Panels Over Parking Lots Nationwide

By 2028, all French parking lots with more than 80 spots will have to be covered with solar panels, providing both shade and renewable energy.

November 11, 2022 - Jalopnik

Bunker Hill, Charlestown

Tracking Boston’s Emissions Reduction Progress

The Boston Foundation published the “Inaugural Boston Climate Progress Report” earlier this month. Other U.S. cities should follow their lead.

November 10, 2022 - The Boston Foundation

Crowd of activists protesting conditions at Rikers Island with one woman in front speaking into microphone

Envisioning a Sustainable Future for Rikers Island

With the prison complex slated to close by 2027, the city has an opportunity to transform the island into a renewable energy and research hub.

November 8, 2022 - Time Out NY

Energy, Carol Stream, IL

The Republican Energy and Climate Agenda

With many polls predicting a ‘red wave’ on Election Day, we take a look at the energy and climate agenda of the 118th Congress under Republican control.

November 6, 2022 - Politico

Aerial view of cylindrical silver oil tanks

Use or Misuse of the Strategic Petroleum Reserve?

Rising gasoline prices prompted President Biden to announce on October 19 that he was authorizing the release of 15 million barrels of crude oil from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

November 3, 2022 - The Washington Post

Close-up of black electric car charging at station

Arizona Issues Plan for Statewide Electric Charging Network

The state secured over $70 million in federal funding to design and build out an electric vehicle charging network in a state with often vast distances between destinations.

November 2, 2022 - KTAR

Solar panels on a rooftop with two workers in hard hats and safety vests walking between panels

How Buildings Can Lead the Way to a Decarbonized Future

A public utilities building in Santa Rosa shows how innovations in architecture and grid management can reduce energy use and prepare buildings for a more sustainable energy future.

November 1, 2022 - Next City

Tractor on Oregon farm

Electric Tractor Lending Library Provides Equipment to Northwest Farmers

Advocates for electrifying farm equipment are calling for more tax incentives and access to electric tractors and other machinery for U.S. farmers.

October 31, 2022 - The Daily Yonder

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.

Senior Manager Operations, Urban Planning

New York City School Construction Authority

Building Inspector

Village of Glen Ellyn

Manager of Model Development

Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO

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.