Environment

Electric Vehicles to Lose Important Perk in Southern California
One of the major reasons for purchasing an electric vehicle in California is the ability to use a carpool lane as a solo driver and use an express lane toll-free. The latter perk will soon disappear for solo-occupant EVs on two freeways.

Downtown Won't Kill You
Despite the stress and pollution of urban life, even the most dense, traffic-clogged cities may be as healthy as streetcar suburbs.

Op-Ed: The Real Estate Industry Is Actually Fighting Emissions
Efstathios Valiotis of Alma Realty argues that the New York real estate industry has made strides to curb emissions and been a leader in fighting climate change in the city.

Global Reverberations from EPA Rollback of Fuel Economy Standards
Relaxed U.S. fuel economy standards, as Environmental Protection Administration chief Scott Pruitt announced on April 2, would have effects extending far beyond the United States.

800 New Homes Approved for Houston's Floodplain
The city of Houston approved a new development that doesn't meet new elevations standards approved by the city of Houston earlier this month.

Can 'Ocean Cities' Become the Societies of the Future?
Futuristic, eco-friendly cities can be greener and more eco-friendly, thanks to better use of natural resources.

A New Wave of Reservoir Construction Set to Begin in California
Two massive water storage projects have been awarded $2.6 billion in funding from Proposition 1.

California Has 8 of the 10 Most Polluted Cities in the U.S.
Despite ever-stricter air-quality regulations and dropping emissions, the American Lung Association once again finds the state to have some of the worst air in the nation.

'Unprecedented' Sale of Public Land Concerns 'Even Some Republicans'
As the Department of the Interior auctions off 'vast swaths' of American wilderness to oil and gas companies, fiscal conservatives and conservationists alike wonder if it’s the right thing at the right time.

Under Zinke, Land in Montana Is Still Somehow Protected
Though he’s opened land all over the U.S. to industry, the Interior Secretary is actually pushing to conserve even more of his home state.

How SB 827 'Cleaved the California Environmental Movement'
Even before the bill was defeated, it exposed a major generational divide between anti-development environmentalists and their pro-density, pro-housing heirs.

Study: Climate Change Concerns Taking a Toll on Home Values in Miami
Ordinary homeowners are beginning to factor climate change into the home-buying decisions in Miami.

Lyft Aiming for Carbon Neutrality
Lyft has announced a plan to offset carbon emissions generated by its rides.

Could Boston Join Seattle in Proposing Congestion Pricing?
The compelling reason behind Boston's looking at congestion pricing is traffic congestion, unlike Seattle where it is being viewed as a major way to reduce greenhouse gas reductions and fund public transit.

Controversial Hydropower Proposal Scuttled in Washington
A victory for environmental conservationists.

New Evidence of Coal's Evolving Place in the Economy
Contura Energy paid Blackjewel Inc. $21 million to take ownership of the Eagle Butte and Belle Ayr coal mines in Wyoming.

Friday Eye Candy: Watch Yosemite's Streams Overflow
Mandatory evacuations were in order, so there was no threat to the general pubic. Witness the fury of mother nature from a safe distance.

How Surveillance in Cities is Evolving
Across the globe, smart cities are increasingly procuring and implementing information technology in order to improve the efficiency and sustainability of urban spaces. The former CTO of L.A. and the mayor of Beverly Hills weigh in on the subject.

New Research Directly Measures Methane's Increasing Greenhouse Effect
According to to a recent study, methane gas produces a much larger greenhouse effect than previously thought. Planners can act to limit the environmental impact of methane.

Squaring Urbanism, Equity, and Density in the SB 827 Debate
As Sen. Wiener has announced new amendments to the controversial land use, transit-oriented development, and real estate bill, The Planning Report turns to three experts to unpack the legislation's consequences.
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