Government / Politics

EPA Administrator Withdraws Methane Emissions Requirement

No surprise here. Scott Pruitt agreed with nine state attorney generals, including his replacement in Oklahoma, to reverse a request enacted by his predecessor to require oil and gas drillers to record information on the release of methane emissions.

March 6, 2017 - The Washington Post

Silicon Valley

California Investing In 'Transformative Climate Communities'

The California Strategic Growth Council has $140 million in cap-and-trade revenue for the new Transformative Climate Community program. The aim of the program is to catalyze environmental and economic investment in disadvantaged communities.

March 5, 2017 - The Planning Report

Bullet

The Environmental Regulation Overturned by the New Interior Secretary on Day One

A dramatic entrance on horseback preceded one of Ryan Zinke's first actions as Secretary of the Department of Interior—rescinding guidance issued by the Fish & Wildlife Service to phase out the use of toxic, lead ammunition on federal lands.

March 5, 2017 - The Washington Post

Miami Beach

Miami Beach's Floating Billboards: A Nuisance on Water

The picturesque ocean front of Miami Beach is being sullied by digital billboards now floating off shore on boats, outside the reach of the city's authority.

March 3, 2017 - Miami New Times

Infrastructure

President Trump's $1 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Just Became More Costly

While he has yet to explain how he would pay for the plan, the 'anti-regulation' president did add a costly and controversial requirement on Tuesday — a 'Buy America' provision that likely extends beyond the existing regulation.

March 2, 2017 - NPR

Train Tracks Los Angeles

U.S. Cities Brace to Lose Infrastructure Funding Over Immigration Policies

Politico explores some of the projects that could be scrapped as a result of being located in sanctuary cities.

March 2, 2017 - Politico

Placemaking: Geek Niche or the Root of Pretty Much Everything?

Placemaking: what does the term really mean? And how it can most effectively serve the needs of the most people. Scott Doyon shares some ideas.

March 1, 2017 - PlaceShakers

Old houses with large porch and colorful siding

Why Aren't We Building Middle Income Housing?

For low-income residents in high-cost areas, there's no substitute for the public sector to provide below-market rate housing. But for middle-income households, the market should be able to produce housing without subsidy. So why doesn't this happen?

February 28, 2017 - Shelterforce/Rooflines

Texas Rail

More than Twenty Bills Introduced in Texas Legislature to Stop High-Speed Rail

The California high-speed rail project is not alone in confronting legal and political obstacles. The main issue in Texas that has aroused opposition to the privately financed, 240-mile Dallas to Houston bullet train is the use of eminent domain.

February 27, 2017 - The Texas Tribune

Texas Wind

Texas Road Subsidies Take Toll on General Fund

Diverting billions of dollars of sales tax revenue from the state's general fund to the Texas Department of Transportation is taking a toll on other programs that lawmakers must fund.

February 27, 2017 - The Texas Tribune

Seattle Apartments

Seattle Considering a First-Ever Renters' Commission

In Seattle, about 54 percent of the households rent their homes, but they have few places to collectively voice their opinions on critical matters like rent control, move-in fees, and transit. Some city councilmembers hope to change that, however.

February 26, 2017 - The Seattle Times

Endangered Species

A Warning About the Threat to the Endangered Species Act

The Los Angeles Times Editorial Board issues a strong critique of ongoing Republican efforts to gut the Endangered Species Act.

February 25, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

Daytona

Are EPA's Fuel Efficiency Standards the Next Environmental Rollback?

Next on President Trump's environmental chopping block may be a rollback of fuel efficiency standards. Two auto associations have asked EPA Administer Scott Pruitt to review a decision made last month to retain a 54.5 mpg target.

February 25, 2017 - The Washington Post

Georgia City Decides One Approval is Enough for Some Variances

Grayson, Atlanta exemplifies the kind of administrative considerations that can make or break development approval processes.

February 24, 2017 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution

Idiot brigade

Understanding the Varieties of NIMBYism

"To get beyond NIMBYism, we first must understand it," writes Richard Florida.

February 24, 2017 - CityLab

Trump

Trump Targets Obama's Signature Environmental Rule, the Clean Power Plan

The first environmental regulation to be rescinded under President Trump was the Stream Protection Rule. It will not be the last. The president has his eyes on a rule that limits greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants.

February 23, 2017 - The Washington Post

Bipartisan Support for New Market Tax Credits Emerges

Members of Congress are mobilizing to protect the popular New Market Tax Credit program, which has offered benefits in rural and urban environments.

February 23, 2017 - Next City

New York City

Are Driverless Cars Good for Cities?

With experts predicting widespread autonomous vehicle (AV) adoption in the not-too-distant-future, many policymakers, designers, and ordinary citizens are left scratching their heads, uncertain of what to expect and how to prepare.

February 22, 2017 - Doggerel

Oregon State Capitol Building

Cap-and-Trade Back on the Table in Oregon

A new report and hearings by the state's House and Senate environment committees has put a cap-and-trade policy to curb carbon emissions back in play in Salem.

February 22, 2017 - Statesman Journal

A Legislative Challenge to Ballot-Box Planning in California

On March 7, Angelenos will vote on Measure S, which would enact a two-year moratorium on denser development. State legislation introduced on Feb. 16 would require a two-thirds vote for these types of slow growth ballot measures.

February 21, 2017 - Los Angeles Times

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