Environment

How Tesla Is Killing California's Electric Car Market
Sometimes market-based systems don't work as intended. This appears to be the case with the California Air Resources Board's program of awarding credits to zero emission and near zero emission vehicles. Tesla's success is bad for the market.

New Rules to Make Heavy Trucks Cleaner and More Fuel Efficient
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Transportation jointly issued final standards on Aug. 16 to reduce emissions and improve fuel economy for heavy duty trucks which currently average about six miles per gallon.

Planetizen Week in Review: August 20, 2016
Climate change dominated the news this week, as flooding wreaked unfathomable havoc on the state of Louisiana.

A Bold Plan to Swim in Chicago's Rivers by 2030
Chicago Mayor Rah Emanuel and the Metropolitan Planning Council announced the "Our Great Rivers" plan this week.

It's Official: Carbon Emissions From Natural Gas Exceed Coal
The U.S. Energy Administration confirms a development that first got teased back in April—natural gas is now responsible for more carbon emissions that coal.

Study: Electric Cars Can Handle 87 Percent of Trips
"Range anxiety" is leading some consumers away from electric cars, but their fears are unfounded, according to a new study.

Faced With Sea-Level Rise and Coastal Erosion, an Alaskan Village Votes to Relocate
The village of Shishmaref would be the first town in the United States to decide to move in the face of climate change.

Urban Design Comes to the Rescue of Dwindling Koala Population
When urban areas intrude into former wildlife habitat areas, animals face challenges moving across busy roadways. In Australia, designers have worked to create passages for koalas to avoid the dangers of speeding motorists.

This Is Climate Change: Eight 500-Year Storms Since May *2015
The extreme weather events predicted for decades by climate scientists have been on parade in the Southern United States all year. Are we ready to say, "this is climate change"?

California's Water Districts Opting Out of Voluntary Conservation
Checking in with the level of participation from California water districts in efforts to conserve water a few months removed from an average rain year once predicted to deliver El Niño-sized excess.

Legislation Will Increase Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate in California
With comprehensive legislation to enable California to continue its powerful agenda of tackling climate change in peril, a Southern California assemblywoman will introduce legislation to tackle the specific issue of sales of electric vehicles.

New Levee System Protects New Jersey Residents
New Jersey Chris Christie announced the competition of a $143 million levee system in Somerset County. Gov. Christie now hopes that residents can drop flood insurance.

Coal Export Facilities Achieving Zombie Status in the Pacific Northwest
One of the Pacific Northwest's remaining coal export facility proposals was dealt what could be a final blow in state court last week. Some are describing such projects as zombies "shambling forward unaware that their heart has stopped beating…"
Rescue Efforts Underway as Southeast Louisiana Faces Historic Flooding
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards is describing the flooding in Southeast Louisiana as an "unprecedented and historic flooding event."

Good News, Finally, For Flint, Michigan Residents
There's good but guarded news on drinking water. Lead levels are lower, below the federal action threshold, but residents are advised not to drink it without using filters. A federal state of emergency in effect since January was lifted Sunday.

Federal Agencies to Consider Climate Impacts
A new policy from the Obama Administration asks government to calculate, and attempt to lower, their carbon emissions.

Midwest Cities Preparing for the Water Management Challenges of Climate Change
Climate researchers are hoping to coordinate the efforts of Midwest cities toward creating plans and working toward more holistic approaches to climate change.

Peak Coal: China's Carbon Emissions Drop as the Use of Coal Slows
In the long struggle to reduce the impacts of climate change, we may have finally hit a positive milestone, as China's use of coal peaked in 2014.

A New Plan for Trees in the 'City of Trees'
The city of Sacramento, California, known as the City of Trees, is nearing the finish line on a heavily debated ordinance to create new regulations for the management of trees.

Future of California's Climate Agenda in Peril
Legislation to reauthorize the California Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 is in peril due to 'a powerful bloc of business-friendly Democrats' who are uneasy about its impact on businesses, particularly Big Oil, due to higher energy costs.
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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.
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Jefferson Parish Government
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont