Energy

Electric car charging area in a parking lot at a Costco in Clermont, Florida.

Florida Law Bars Cities From Regulating EV Chargers

Under the new law, cities cannot require charging infrastructure in local codes.

July 28, 2024 - JD Supra

Rotterdam, the Netherlands

Rural Areas Benefiting From Wind Energy Revenue

For some rural districts, tax revenue from wind energy projects can have a major impact on local school districts and infrastructure.

July 26, 2024 - Fast Company

Aerial view of Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum entrance arch with name and Olympic rings.

LA is Electrifying its Bus Fleet, but Olympic Transit Challenges Remain

The region is preparing its transit system to handle the more than one million visitors expected during the 2028 Olympic Games.

July 25, 2024 - Mass Transit

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

Power Plants: A Win for the EPA

New rules from the US Environmental Protection Agency to regulate greenhouse gas emissions from fossil fuel-fired power plants survived an attempt by 25 Republican-led states to block their implementation while their case is litigated.

July 22, 2024 - Irvin Dawid

Fenced-in oil pump in residential neighborhood

Millions in California at Risk Where Oil Wells and Wildfires Converge

Those living near oil and gas wells face increased risks from wildfires, which threaten these infrastructures and could lead to explosions, pollution, and other hazards, particularly affecting communities of color.

July 22, 2024 - Los Angeles Times

Close-up of white air conditioning window unit in window of brown brick building.

Thousands of NYC Shelter Residents Lack Air Conditioning

Even in the depths of extreme heat, many shelters prohibit residents from installing AC units.

July 18, 2024 - The New York Times

Street scene in Greenwich Village, New York City with people walking through busy intersection and new WTC tower in background.

New York State Climate Plan Stalls

Of 35 recommendations presented in the state’s climate scoping plan, just one has been implemented so far.

July 17, 2024 - New York Focus

Close-up of red car parked and plugged in at EV charging station with row of cars behind it.

Pennsylvania Replaces Alternative Fuels Tax With Flat EV Fee

Electric car owners will pay a flat annual fee that lawmakers say will be ‘tied to economic conditions.’

July 14, 2024 - Pennsylvania Senate Republicans

Teal Detroit public bus

Michigan Transit Systems Awarded Federal Grants for Clean Vehicles

Federal grants are helping to ease the transition to electric and hybrid buses.

July 10, 2024 - Michigan Public Radio

Rendering of electric bus terminal in Miami, Florida.

Miami Breaks Ground on All-Electric Transit Center

The terminal will have the capacity to power 100 electric buses.

July 4, 2024 - ENR Southeast

Close-up of green and white sign for 1 hour EV charging station outdoors with tall palm trees in background against blue sky.

LA’s EV Chargers Unevenly Distributed, Resulting in ‘Charging Deserts’

Even in the nation’s third-largest EV market, a charger can be hard to find.

July 1, 2024 - Axios

Four oil wells sillhouetted against the sunset.

Oil Industry Withdraws Ballot Measure, Shifts to Legal Fight Over California Well Restrictions

California's oil industry has withdrawn its ballot measure challenging a law that restricts oil and gas wells near homes and schools, opting to contest the law in court.

June 30, 2024 - Cal Matters

View of city skyline in red smog indicating extreme heat.

The Heat Is On: Rising Temperatures Strain Urban Infrastructure

This summer is predicted to be one of the hottest on record, and heat waves will likely put physical and social infrastructure to the test.

June 28, 2024 - Diana Ionescu

Close-up of U.S. Supreme Court building with "Equial Justice Under the Law" carving across top.

SCOTUS Watch: Power of Federal Agencies Likely to be Restricted

A 1984 landmark Supreme Court ruling empowering federal agencies to interpret statutes when there is uncertainty is being challenged. The outcome will impact federal regulatory authority throughout government, particularly environmental protection.

June 28, 2024 - Irvin Dawid

Solar panels in a green field

Solar Industry Growing Fast, but is Hampered by Aging Grid

One of solar’s biggest challenges is getting the energy where it needs to go.

June 24, 2024 - NBC Washington

A line of white wind turbines surrounded by wheat and soybean fields with a cloudy blue sky in the background.

Mississippi Opens Its First Utility-Scale Wind Farm

The 184-megawatt wind project will help supply power to Amazon’s growing data center operations and logistics hubs in the region.

June 20, 2024 - Canary Media

Close-up on map of Kemmerer, Wyoming.

Nation's First Nuclear Power Plant in Nearly Half a Century Breaks Ground in Wyoming

Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates had shovel-in-hand for the groundbreaking of his company's small-scale nuclear power plant in Kemmerer, Wyoming, on June 10.

June 19, 2024 - WyoFile

Close-up of natural gas stove burner with blue flames.

Berkeley Voters to Decide on Building Gas Tax

The city could tax large buildings that use gas in lieu of enacting a law that would have banned gas-powered buildings altogether.

June 12, 2024 - Smart Cities Dive

Data center with Google sign in front of black fence in The Dalles, Oregon.

Michigan Proposal to Attract Data Centers Garners Criticism

The state legislature is poised to pass a law that would bring more data centers to the state, but critics say the move would threaten the state’s climate goals.

June 4, 2024 - The Guardian

Coal mining equipment and vehicles at coal mining site in Wyoming.

A Win for ‘Keep it in the Ground’

Coal mining in Wyoming will take a major hit as a result of a U.S. Department of Interior plan to cease future leasing of coal mines in the nation's most productive coal mining basin. The decision casts a spotlight on the presidential election.

June 4, 2024 - Irvin Dawid

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.