Energy

Traffic on the 405 interstate freeway through the Sepulveda Pass at Getty Center Drive in Los Angeles, California

Report: Bike Lanes Can't Make up for New Roads

If California wants to meet its climate goals, the state must stop funding its myriad road construction and expansion projects.

September 29, 2023 - Streetsblog California

Worker in orange shirt and white helmet works at top of power line.

Building Resiliency in Rural Power Grids

A National Science Foundation study seeks to understand the impact of climate change and extreme weather on rural electrical grids in diverse geographic areas.

September 28, 2023 - The Daily Yonder

Aerial view of Boston Massachusetts historic homes

Boston Pilot Program Funds Electrification of Small Residential Properties

Owners of small buildings can get up to $50,000 per unit to fund decarbonization retrofits.

September 25, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Pair of hands holding compost above pile of soil and food scraps.

EPA Awards $4 Million for Baltimore Composting Facility

The city wants to build the nation’s largest composting facility as part of its ‘zero waste’ efforts.

September 24, 2023 - Baltimore Sun

High voltage power line towers sillhouetted against colorful sunset sky.

Utilities Spending Less on Energy Efficiency Despite Higher Fuel Prices

A survey of major utilities reveals a link between states with strict efficiency standards and incentive programs and efforts to improve efficiency on the part of utilities.

September 20, 2023 - Governing

Close-up of window-mounted air conditioning unit on outside of red brick building

Report: ‘Energy Insecurity’ Hits Black Households Hardest

Extreme heat, poor housing quality, and the heat island effect make it harder for many households to afford energy bills.

September 17, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Solar panels with blurred twilight view of New York City skyline witrh Empire State Building in background

NYC Planning Commission Approves ‘City of Yes for Carbon Neutrality’

The first of three elements of the City of Yes rezoning proposal aims to remove barriers to building green infrastructure.

September 15, 2023 - silive.com

View of red tiled rooftops with solar panels and tall palm trees between houses

City of Vacaville Launches Instant Solar Permitting

A new state law requires cities to take steps to speed up the permitting process for solar energy systems.

September 6, 2023 - Symbium

View from a distance of Fukushima Daiichi nuclear plant on the coast n Japan

How Nuclear Energy Could Impact the Water Supply

Releasing contaminated water into the ocean or other water bodies could have severe, long-term impacts on drinking water supplies and aquatic life.

September 6, 2023 - Governing

Aerial view of Plant Vogtle Unit 3 nuclear unit

Georgia Makes Clean Energy History in U.S.

The first newly constructed nuclear power plant to generate electricity in the U.S. in over 30 years began operation in Waynesboro, Georgia on July 31.

September 6, 2023 - Georgia Power

An oil well in a mountainous and remote part of Utah.

Utah Oil Shale Extraction Dealt Major Setback

The Surface Transportation Board's approval in 2021 of a proposed 85-mile Uinta Basin Railway in Utah that would have enabled increased extraction of the world's largest source of oil shale was partially vacated by a federal appeals court last month.

September 3, 2023 - Progressive Railroading

Construction Industry

The Materials Movement: Advancing Low-Carbon, Healthy Materials for Sustainable Communities

Every component of a building, from the concrete foundation to the paint on the walls, has an impact on human health, the climate, and ecosystems around the globe. Building materials—once overlooked in real estate’s sustainability efforts—are now bei

September 1, 2023 - Urban Land Magazine

White and red Caltrain commuter train

Rail Electrification: Caltrain adds BEMUs to its EMU Order

Caltrain, the San Francisco-to-San Jose commuter railroad, plans to begin electrified operation next year on its 49-mile mainline. A 28-mile extension south to Gilroy would continue to be served by diesel trains, with one train powered by battery.

August 24, 2023 - San Mateo Daily Journal

Conceptual rendering of Rikers Island redevelopment as renewable energy facility

Can New York City Go Green Without Renewable Rikers?

New York City’s bold proposal to close the jail on Rikers Island and replace it with green infrastructure is in jeopardy. Will this compromise the city’s ambitious climate goals?

August 24, 2023 - Mark H. McNulty

Natural gas power plant with two tall smokestacks against blue and purple sunset sky

Energy Reliability Vs. the Environment

A controversial but unanimous vote by California officials last week to keep three older, coastal natural gas power plants operating beyond their termination dates shows that environmental protection takes a back seat to keeping the lights on.

August 22, 2023 - Politico

An electric vehicle is plugged into a charging station. A sticker reads “charge America” on the station.

Texas Planning a Statewide Electric Vehicle Charging Network

The Texas Department of Transportation has a plan to leverage federal infrastructure funding for electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state.

August 21, 2023 - MRT

View of natural gas power plant with two tall smokestacks on Northern California coast

Making Natural Gas Power Plants Cleaner

Carbon capture and storage has long been associated with coal-burning power plants. Calpine Corp. hopes to apply the controversial technology to existing natural gas power plants, beginning with a pilot project to start this month in the Bay Area.

August 17, 2023 - The Sacramento Bee

Boston city skyline

Boston Grant Program Supports Greener Affordable Housing

The city wants to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

August 17, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

Installation of external wall thermal insulation with rock wool on Passive House residential building.

‘Passive House’ Standard Gaining Ground in Multifamily Housing

Developers in Chicago and around the country are taking notice of a design standard that encourages energy efficiency and sustainable materials.

August 9, 2023 - Chicago Tribune

Looking up at modernist/brutalist Boston City Hall building bathed in golden hour light

Boston Eliminates Fossil Fuels in New City-Owned Buildings

Mayor Michelle Wu said the new rule will help boost demand for green materials and create new jobs in the green building sector.

August 9, 2023 - Smart Cities Dive

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