Energy

Lake Powell

Op-Ed: Lake Powell No Longer Needed

Eric Balken makes the case that Lake Powell, anchored in place by the Glen Canyon Dam, is too inefficient a reservoir during times of water scarcity. Lake Mead, he says, is more than up to the task.

December 11, 2015 - High Country News

Beware of Energy Rankings for Cities

In a special "Energy for Tomorrow" report, The New York Times looks at "clean city rankings" of energy efficiency and land use. But ranking cities is no easy task—"winners on one list may appears as sinners on another."

December 10, 2015 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

potable water fire hydrant

Water Resilience in Dry Climates

How can cities in dry climates become self-sufficient in terms of water? California based Dry Lands Institute is creating a digital design tool called Hazel that aims to address just that.

December 9, 2015 - Doggerel

Climate Talks Won't Tackle the 'Car Problem'

The COP21 talks in Paris won't take on transportation directly, "the world’s fastest-growing energy-based contributor to greenhouse gases," writes David Jolly for The New York Times. Electric vehicles and fuel efficiency face formidable challenges.

December 9, 2015 - The New York Times - Energy & Environment

To Solve Sao Paulo's Water Crisis, Collaboration Is Key

Brazil is rethinking it's approach to water infrastructure. Brazilian think-tank Arq Futuro and Arup's Pablo Lazo give their take on the state of South America's most populous country.

December 4, 2015 - Doggerel

Calls for Better Emergency Plans for Denver's Oil Trains

The sight of trains passing by luxury condos might be foreign to some cities, but not Denver. The risk posed by crude oil shipments passing on those rails, however, is too much for some residents to accept without a plan.

December 3, 2015 - The Denver Post

Community Choice Utilities Gaining Power in California

Talk about bringing power to the people: eight regional governments in California are in various stages of adopting "community choice" utilities to buy power from the grid in the hopes of cleaning up their energy portfolio.

November 30, 2015 - San Jose Mercury News

A Quick Guide to the COP21 Climate Talks

World leaders are meeting in Paris this week for the United Nation's COP21 talks. But what exactly are the main topics of discussion?

November 30, 2015 - Doggerel

Report: China Clean Energy Investments Beat U.S., U.K, and France Combined

When climate change initially became a powerful political talking point, the dirty economies of developing countries might have made U.S. efforts seem inconsequential. Now the roles of reversed, and the U.S. has some catching up to do.

November 30, 2015 - Mother Jones

Risk and Reward Debated in Big Tacoma Gas Plant Investments

Two new gas plants will join a host of other oil and gas infrastructure in the Tacoma Tideflats. The question is how much risk is the area taking on, and is it worth it?

November 27, 2015 - Tacoma Weekly

What to Expect from Canada's New Prime Minster Justin Trudeau on Climate Change

Canada's recent change to a Liberal government means Stephen Harper's legacy in oil gas is at risk. Change is coming.

November 27, 2015 - Globe and Mail

Las Vegas to Go 100 Percent Renewable Energy by 2017

"Every city light, city park, community center, fire station and service yard," in Sin City will be powered by renewable energy in January 2017, according to an announcement by Mayor Carolyn Goodman.

November 26, 2015 - Las Vegas Sun

Alberta Announces Landmark Climate Protection Strategy

Alberta Premier Rachel Notley announced a transformative three-pronged climate protection plan on November 22 that will cap greenhouse gas emissions from oil sands development, add a carbon tax, and phase-out coal power plants.

November 25, 2015 - CTV

A Planner's Perspective on Brazil's Water Crisis

With water shortages in São Paulo making headlines around the world, Brazil is rethinking its approach to water infrastructure. Arup's Pablo Lazo gives his perspective on the various entities that are acting for change.

November 23, 2015 - Doggerel

Too Big to Be Green

The energy costs of big houses on big lots overshadow the benefits of energy efficiency.

November 23, 2015 - CityLab

Electric Car

Report: Electric Vehicles Best Option in Most of U.S.

A new Union of Concerned Scientists report shows that due to considerable gains made in cleaning the electric grid and in producing electric vehicles more efficiently, EVs are the environmentally sensible choice.

November 18, 2015 - Union Of Concerned Scientists

Can California Kick the Oil Habit?

As the nation's third largest oil producer, California has a long history with the oil industry, yet it's also the birthplace of the American environmental movement. Lisa Margonelli makes the case for the Golden State reducing its oil addiction.

November 15, 2015 - Zocalo Public Square

Morro Bay Could be Home to West Coast's First Offshore Wind Farm

If a Seattle company gets its way, in a few years there will be 100 floating wind turbines about 15 miles off San Luis Obispo County on the central California coast, generating about 1 gigawatt of electricity.

November 14, 2015 - San Jose Mercury News

Offshore Wind Power Picks Up Momentum Along the Atlantic Coast

The potential for offshore wind power along the Atlantic Coast has moved closer to reality in fits and starts. Recent leases, however, indicate what the future of the industry could looks like.

November 12, 2015 - The Hill

Uber Driver

The Ride-Share Revolution

"If the 20th century was devoted to building the infrastructure to service the personal automobile, then perhaps the 21st century will be devoted to undoing most of it."

November 12, 2015 - TechCrunch

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.

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.