Environment

Resilience Planning for Suburban Growth
Whether or not the suburban shift accelerated by the pandemic continues, policymakers can implement climate resilience strategies and guide sustainable growth in both cities and exurbs.

Proposed Offshore Wind Project Could Be the West Coast’s Largest
If approved, the plan to build a 2,000-megawatt facility off the coast of Washington State would be a milestone for floating offshore wind production in the United States.

The Net Zero Building Boom Is Ready to Scale
While the cultural and infrastructural changes necessary to eliminate carbon emissions from the transportation sector still seem far-fetched, scaling up a net zero building boom is “eminently possible.”

Local Opposition Threatens to Cripple Solar Expansion
A bevy of real and unfounded claims against solar farms is feeding a growing opposition movement in rural areas.

America's Most Popular National Park Could Start Charging for Parking
The Great Smoky Mountains National Park, the nation's most visited and one of only a handful with no admission fee, could institute a parking fee to pay for much-needed maintenance.

Waging War on High Gas Prices
America is not at war, but that didn't stop President Joe Biden from calling the largest release of oil from the nation's Strategic Petroleum Reserve that he authorized on March 31 to lower oil prices, a 'wartime bridge.'

Utah Valleys Square Off in an Old-Fashioned Water War
The Central Iron County Water Conservancy District wants new sources of water so communities in the Cedar Valley in Utah can continue to grow. It's a story as old as the American West.

Study: How California Can Shift Away From Car-Oriented Development
While the state continues to rely on driving as a primary means of transportation, fighting climate change and the worsening housing crisis means implementing policies that encourage infill development, higher density, and public transit.

U.S. to Help European Union Achieve Energy Security
President Joe Biden and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced in Brussels the formation of a joint task force to help the European Union reduce dependence on Russian energy in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Colorado Proposal Would Fund Free Summer Transit
The state is weighing a plan to offer free transit rides during ozone-heavy months in an effort to improve the state's air quality.

'Greening' L.A.'s Schoolyards
Advocates for increasing green space on school campuses say giving students a more healthy outdoor environment can also reduce the urban heat island effect and improve public health in historically underserved communities.

New 'Human-Centered' EV Charging Stations Aim To Improve User Experience
Volkswagen-owned Electrify America plans to make its new charging stations more user-friendly with solar panel awnings and waiting lounges.

Free From AARP: Walk Audit Tool Kit and Worksheets
AARP recently published an all new, 28-page, image-filled guide—and 11 downloadable worksheets—for how to assess and report on the safety and walkability of a street, intersection, or neighborhood.

Fifty Years After the Clean Water Act, Half of U.S. Waters Are Unsafe for Humans and Fish
A study of U.S. waterways shows that around half of lakes, rivers, and streams in the U.S. are too toxic to swim or fish in.

Outdated Electric Grid Could Hamper Texas Transition to Renewables
Although Texas easily has the potential to phase out coal with the renewable energy projects in the works around the state, its aging transmission lines and outdated infrastructure could delay the transition.

What Is a Density Bonus?
A density bonus offers development permissions beyond what's allowed by a zoning code as an incentive for developers to contribute to desired policy goals. Density bonus programs can offer numerous forms of incentives, and can be used as an incentive to address a variety of policy goals.

FEMA Flood Mitigation Initiative Will Pay Homeowners To Move
The Swift Current grant program will distribute $60 million to homeowners in high-risk counties to help pay for flood mitigation measures or relocation.

Chumash Tribe Opposes Offshore Wind in Proposed Marine Sanctuary
Environmentalists decry the proposed wind farm as harmful to the fragile ecosystem of the Central California coast.

Sanctioning Russian Energy Exports
European leaders chose not to join the U.S. in an embargo of Russian energy products largely because of dependence on natural gas. Similarly, the world needs the 11% of crude oil that Russia exports. What can the U.S. do to lessen this dependence?

EV Charging Stations Gaining Ground
High gas prices are prompting more cities to invest in electric car charging infrastructure.
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