In an effort to curb the state's greenhouse gas emissions, builders will be required to include solar power in many new commercial and large residential buildings.

The California Energy Commission on Wednesday voted to "require builders to include solar power and battery storage in many new commercial structures as well as high-rise residential projects. It is the latest initiative in the state’s vigorous efforts to hasten a transition from fossil fuels to alternative energy sources," reports Ivan Penn.
"The energy plan, which would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023, also calls for new homes to be wired in ways that ease and even encourage conversion of natural-gas heating and appliances to electric sources." Because "[h]omes and businesses use nearly 70 percent of California’s electricity and are responsible for a quarter of its greenhouse gas emissions,""the proposals approved Wednesday would reduce emissions over 30 years as much as if nearly 2.2 million cars were taken off the road for a year."
Some cities in California already "have building codes that restrict or ban natural gas in new construction — 49 municipalities in all, according to the Sierra Club — but the changes advanced on Wednesday would greatly extend the push away from fossil fuels." With climate change contributing to some of the state's most devastating fires, residents have embraced solar power as a way to reduce emissions and cope with blackouts.
FULL STORY: California Panel Backs Solar Mandate for New Buildings

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Walmart Announces Nationwide EV Charging Network
The company plans to install electric car chargers at most of its stores by 2030.

New State Study Suggests Homelessness Far Undercounted in New Mexico
An analysis of hospital visit records provided a more accurate count than the annual point-in-time count used by most agencies.

Michigan Bills Would Stiffen Penalties for Deadly Crashes
Proposed state legislation would close a ‘legal gap’ that lets drivers who kill get away with few repercussions.

Report: Bus Ridership Back to 86 Percent of Pre-Covid Levels
Transit ridership around the country was up by 85 percent in all modes in 2024.
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