Environment
Plans Nixed for a Proposed Rail Line to Move Coal from Montana
The sudden collapse of the coal industry has been as swift as it has been shocking.
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?
President Obama Stakes His Legacy at the Paris Climate Conference
President Obama left for Paris on Sunday to partake in the climate talks known as COP21. Coral Davenport of The New York Times looks at the legacy implications for the president stemming from his commitment to fighting climate change.

We Are Transport! We Have Solutions!
Smart policies can provide significant greenhouse gas emission reductions in ways that help achieve other planning objectives, including economic development, social equity, and public health. Who will implement these policies? We will!
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.
Where Climate Change Means Diminished Snowpacks, Water Supplies
A new study by researchers at Columbia University estimates how predicted changes in the levels and locations of snowfall will affect water supplies.
Deputy Mayor of London: Diesel Not the Right Thing for Cities
Matthew Pencharz, Deputy Mayor for Environment & Energy for the Greater London Authority, does not see diesel as the right technology for driving in the city. Also blames the European Commission for for being too lenient with emission standards
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.
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.

Los Angeles Changes Color
Adam Rogers chronicles Los Angeles' long and intimate relationship with the electric light. The city's recent choice to adopt LED streetlights has transformed a classic nighttime into something new.
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.
Too Big to Be Green
The energy costs of big houses on big lots overshadow the benefits of energy efficiency.

Science and Friendships, for Wilding Cities
How do we personally advance nature in cities? This blog post looks at "urban nature" and the research revealing how me might lessen the damage we do to the nature that surrounds us every day.
New Groundwater Regulations Taking Shape in California
Out of sheer necessity, the state of California has embarked on a new process for regulating the use of groundwater.
The Science of Wetlands Conservation
Research by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Zhenghong Tang is helping conserve key south-central Nebraska wetlands that provide habitat for millions of migratory birds.

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.
New Study Underway: Do Ride-Hailing Services Reduce Car Ownership?
The University of California, Berkeley and NRDC will team-up to verify whether Uber and Lyft reduce car ownership and are thus good for the environment. Such data already exists for a sister form of shared mobility: car-share.
Google Bus Opponents Argue Need for CEQA Study in San Francisco Superior Court
On Friday, tech bus opponents took their case to court, arguing that the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency must comply with the California Environmental Quality Act due to impacts including air quality and community displacement.
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.
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.
Pagination
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