The proportion of energy produced by renewable sources in the United States has almost quadrupled in the last decade.

According to a new report, "[t]he proportion of electricity the United States gets from solar and wind nearly quadrupled between 2011 and 2020," writes Tik Root.
The report used data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration to assess the gigawatt-hours produced by wind and solar generation, which both grew while geothermal generation remained stagnant.
Solar generation grew particularly quickly, with the report finding a 23-fold increase since 2011. Wind, which started at a higher percentage than solar, saw an almost threefold increase. Three states — Iowa, North Dakota and Kansas — now produce at least half the amount of electricity they consume from wind and solar.
The report also found that costs for renewable energy have dropped sharply and are projected to continue declining. This, along with aggressive state policies that support renewable energy production in places like California, has contributed to the boom. According to the report, "every state in the country has enough potential from either solar or wind energy alone to supply all of its electricity needs."
The continued growth of the sector doesn't come without challenges such as the effectiveness of transmission systems and the "social acceptability" of projects. Meanwhile, report co-author Emma Searson cautions that energy conservation is just as critical to achieving 100 percent clean energy as increasing renewable energy production, but that goal is now something potentially achievable.
FULL STORY: Renewable energy in the U.S. nearly quadrupled in the past decade, report finds

The End of Single-Family Zoning in Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is the latest jurisdiction in the country to effectively end single-family zoning.

Skyline-Defining High-Rise Potentially Coming to Boise
A rendering making the rounds in Boise depicts a 40-story apartment building that would be taller than all other buildings in one of the fastest growing cities in the United States.

The ‘Goldilocks Zone’ for Office Conversion
A formula for the ideal office-to-housing candidate.

Pittsburgh Developers Push Back on Zoning Review Fees
An increase in fees for commercial construction projects is raising concerns from local developers who say the industry already faces rising costs to build in the city.

MTA Proposes Pollution Mitigation Spending for the Bronx
Acknowledging the impact the city’s proposed congestion pricing program could have on underserved neighborhoods, the agency plans to spend over $130 million in revenue from the program on air filtration, trees, and other pollution reduction measures.

11,000 Housing Units Possible with S.F. Office Conversions, Study Says
A new study by SPUR and the Urban Land Institute’s San Francisco chapter estimates a specific number of apartment units that could be built from vacant office units in the city.
Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization
City of Kingsville
Princeton Planning
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Spearfish
City of Lomita
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.