Environment
12-Cent Gas Tax Increase Deal in Washington State
The Associated Press reports that while the exact details of the compromise plan that involve an 11.9-cent gas tax increase have yet to be released, the deal affects Gov. Jay Inslee's proposed low carbon fuel standard.
Georgia State Report Predicts Major Impacts to Natural Habitat
Climate change and sprawl are identified as the culprits in the eradication of critical natural habitat by the year 2050.
Supreme Court Overturns EPA's Mercury Rules
In a close ruling, the Supreme Court decided the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency had not properly considered the costs of new regulations limiting mercury and other emissions.
Two New Ambitious Stormwater Capture Plans Proposed for Los Angeles
The state of California, along with county and city officials, have taken several steps forward on plans and projects that could help Los Angeles wean itself from imported water.
Cities Lose Supreme Court Case on Sign Regulation
The Supreme Court, in two separate opinions, unanimously ruled on June 18 against an Arizona town's sign regulation that denied the placement of a street sign based on its content. At question was a sign directing passers-by to a church service.
A 'New Era of Wildfires' in Alaska
The last great U.S. wilderness won't forever remain the frozen tundra imagined by residents of the Lower 48. A new report finds evidence of Alaska's transformation in the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires around the state.
Friday Eye Candy: First-Ever Vertical Street View Scales El Capitan in Yosemite
Google Street View climbed 3,000 feet, straight up, to capture the images for its first-ever vertical street view.
Pope Goes Global: Let's Talk Local
Pope Francis, sticking to his job description, is out to save the world and all its creatures. Maybe we can help in our own little universes, where we can influence planning and design that makes for swell places and for reduced contributions to GHG.
A Small Hike in Oregon Gas Tax to Come at High Environmental Cost
Oregon may end its low carbon fuel standard, one of two in the nation, to increase the gas tax by four cents and implement a bevy of clean fuel alternatives to replace the three-month-old clean fuels program.
A Garden District Takes Root in Milwaukee
The 13th aldermanic district, located on the southeast side of Milwaukee, is working hard to back up its claim as the city's "Garden District."
Boston Hopes to Make it Easier for Developers to Prepare for Rising Seas
Several agencies with the city of Boston will begin studying how to retrofit the city's building codes to prepare for the impacts of climate change.
Affordable Housing Follows Good Transit
More raw housing stock is only the first step. Without comprehensive transit, the value of density can't extend beyond the city center.
No Papal Blessing for Cap-And-Trade
Governments must take correction actions to address climate change, warned Pope Francis in his June 18 encyclical, but cap-and-trade, which places a price on carbon emissions but can lead to speculation, is not one of them.
North Carolina County Reluctantly Accepts Toxic Coal Ash Stockpile for $19 Million
Chatham County, North Carolina agreed to not oppose a planned coal ash landfill in exchange for $19 Million from Duke Energy, which would help fund environmental monitoring and disaster insurance.
Pope Francis Taps Planners to Help Solve Climate Change
Pope Francis's unprecedented focus on climate change and the environment includes strong messages for planners and designers of the built environment.
Mapping the Ongoing Challenges of Environmental Justice
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency released a new tool to visualize the ongoing realties of environmental justice in cities around the country.
United Nations Agreement Takes Action Against Deforestation
In a mover that came to a surprise to United Nations observers, the international body reached agreement on the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation, or REDD+, initiative.
Texas Rains Haven't Solved State's Water Supply Issues
Though the number of residents in the state affected by drought dropped by the millions after recent heavy rains, areas of the state that rely on underground supplies of water could still run out of water within months.
Harvard Report: Fracking Yields Equity Gains for American Workforce
A new Harvard Business School report lays the economic and equity case for fracking—through direct and indirect job creation, America's middle class is reaping substantial wage gains and reduced energy costs. Renewables are also discussed.
Meet the Woman Inspiring Climate Resilience in Miami Beach
If the Miami region manages to weather the climate change storm, it will be thanks to effective collaboration between government, the public, and private interests. Meet the woman tasked with starting that process in Miami Beach.
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
