Energy

San Francisco Skyline

California Achieved its Climate Goal; Now the Hard Part Begins

New York Times climate reporter, Brad Plumer, comments on California's landmark accomplishment in reducing emissions, observing that with the low-hanging electricity generation fruit picked, reducing transportation emissions will prove formidable.

July 20, 2018 - The New York Times

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

Renewable Goals: Set the Bar Low or Shoot for Stars?

A columnist says Pittsburgh's goal to run its government entirely on renewable energy by 2030 is like Trump's Wall: Not gonna happen.

July 17, 2018 - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

Pipeline Politics Ruffle NATO Summit

At the NATO Summit in Brussels last Wednesday, President Trump charged that Germany was captive to Russia because of its dependence on Russian natural gas, and a new, controversial pipeline from Russia to Germany will exacerbate its dependency.

July 15, 2018 - The Washington Post

Biomass

U.S. Households Using Less Energy

Total on-site energy use in U.S. homes declined between 2009 and 2015, thanks to new new building technology and warmer winters.

July 14, 2018 - Housing Perspectives

Electric Car

With $768 Million in June, California Continues EV Infrastructure Investment

CPUC Commissioner Carla Peterman explains the state's investment plan for building out electric vehicle charging stations in public spaces and homes.

July 11, 2018 - The Planning Report

Twin Cities Assembly Plant

Controversial Green Neighborhood to Rise on Former Auto Plant Site

Plans for a sizable eco-friendly development on the site of St. Paul's Twin Cities Assembly Plant have drawn support from many, including the city's young mayor. But density opponents remain unconvinced.

July 11, 2018 - CityLab

Washington, D.C. Apartment

What Do Affordable Housing Developers Think of California's Potential Rent Control Initiative?

A California November 2018 ballot initiative seeking to repeal the Costa-Hawkins Rental Housing Act could have unintended consequences, according to Related California's Bill Witte.

July 9, 2018 - The Planning Report

Solar Residential

Georgia's Conservative Path to a Solar Power Boom

Georgia politics haven't usually been friendly to renewable energy. But some unlikely alliances, and a healthy dose of economics, can go a long way.

June 30, 2018 - Inside Climate News

pallets of green oil barrels stacked

Big Oil Wins Climate Change Lawsuits

The courts are no place to be deciding on the contribution of fossil fuels to climate change, ruled a Northern California federal district court judge in a "stinging defeat" to San Francisco and Oakland that wanted Big Oil to pay mitigation costs.

June 28, 2018 - The New York Times

Wind Turbines

Opinion: Government-Controlled Energy Won't Get Cities to 100 Percent Renewable

A Community Choice Aggregation (CCA) is a key tool for the Climate Action Plan of many California cities. According to one former mayor, they don't work.

June 26, 2018 - Sacramento Bee

Fracking

Oil and Gas Industry Lobbyists Promote Carbon Tax

A political action committee representing the energy industry, including fossil fuels, has been formed by two former U.S. senators, a Republican and Democrat, to advance a carbon fee-and-dividend plan on Capitol Hill.

June 26, 2018 - Vox

West Virginia Oil

The 'Shale Crescent,' Also Dubbed the 'Plastic Belt,' Removes the Rust

The region spanning Ohio, West Virginia, and Pennsylvania is claiming a new name.

June 23, 2018 - WOSU

Nightime Street

Illuminated Futures

The city that never sleeps depends on 396,572 street lights. As bright white LEDs replace the familiar amber glow, what does tomorrow (night) hold?

June 22, 2018 - Urban Omnibus

Louisiana Oil Spill

Trump Executive Order Clears the Way for More Offshore Drilling

President Donald Trump rescinded environmental protections put in place by former President Barack Obama after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

June 22, 2018 - AP via Detroit Free Press

Coal-Fired Power Plant

First: Oklahoma Can Regulate its Own Coal Ash

Oklahoma will now be able to regulate coal ash disposal without answering to federal regulators.

June 21, 2018 - Governing

Nuclear Power

Trump Rebuffed by Federal Energy Commissioners on Coal and Nuclear Power Bailout

Last month the Trump administration directed Energy Secretary Rick Perry to require grid operators to purchase power from aging coal and nuclear power plants, enabling them to keep operating as a matter of "national security." Regulators disagree.

June 18, 2018 - InsideClimate News

Solar and Wind Energy

Bill Gates's Coalition of Rich Investors Buying In to Energy Storage

To reach goals in reducing emissions, Gates's group is looking to invest in technology that can provide energy in efficient ways by supplying clean power when the sun isn't shining and the wind isn't blowing.

June 15, 2018 - Quartz

Solar Power

There's More Renewable Energy Than Ever

But it's still not enough to produce a net reduction in emissions from energy production.

June 8, 2018 - Quartz

Green

The Search for a New Green Building Standard

The need to slash emissions from buildings is increasingly urgent, and critics say LEED won't get us there.

June 8, 2018 - CityLab

Don't Forget the Green Benefits of Accessory Dwelling Units

Accessory Dwelling Units (ADUs) don't just help mitigate housing supply and affordability issues, they also offer significant sustainability benefits.

June 6, 2018 - Sightline Institute

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.

Comprehensive Bikeway Design Workshop

Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University

Early Bird Deadline – save on your tuition fee!🚨

Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)

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.