Geothermal heating and cooling systems can reduce energy costs and dramatically improve efficiency.
A new affordable housing development in Southeast D.C. uses an innovative geothermal HVAC system to provide more efficient heating and cooling.
According to an opinion piece by Matthias Paustian and Glenn Hall in Greater Greater Washington, “The geothermal HVAC system, part of a $2.5 million pilot project funded by the DC Public Service Commission (PSC), uses a closed loop of water-filled pipes to provide highly efficient heating in the winter and cooling in the summer.The geothermal HVAC system, part of a $2.5 million pilot project funded by the DC Public Service Commission (PSC), uses a closed loop of water-filled pipes to provide highly efficient heating in the winter and cooling in the summer.”
Geothermal systems, in addition to reducing costs for residents, can make the grid more resilient by reducing electricity demand. “According to research from Transformative Strategies Consulting, municipalities across the US are pursuing this technology to lower household energy costs for residents, a strategy that can be replicated here in DC.”
According to the authors, “ It’s time to bring these clean energy systems, which can be integrated into both new and existing neighborhoods, to DC so that residents can access affordable energy without the safety risks associated with methane gas.”
FULL STORY: A quiet revolution for low-cost heating and cooling emerges in DC’s Ward 8
Denver is building a sewage-powered thermal energy network
A proposed thermal energy network will harness heat from the earth and from wastewater to power renewable heating and cooling systems.
Oregon Requires Energy-efficient Heat Pumps in New Housing
A new state law is expected to save residents an average of $125 per month on energy costs.
Massachusetts Moves Toward Decarbonization
The state developed a framework for planning to phase out natural gas, denying industry calls to allow hydrogen and renewable natural gas.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
New Jersey’s second-largest city bans standalone data centers
Jersey City will continue to allow co-location facilities, such as those meant for research institutions that store their own data.
Amtrak not solely to blame for New Jersey commuter rail's unreliability, report finds
A new study from the Garden State Initiative found that NJ Transit’s budget grew 20% across a 4 year period, but reliability declined significantly over the same period.
EPA erases limits on planet-warming pollution from power plants
Under Monday’s plan, power plants would still have some limits on how much mercury, arsenic and other contaminants they can emit.
Phoenix announces new on-demand transit service, more frequent RAPID buses
Both new services will launch in October, and are part of Phoenix's Project Effective Access Solutions for Easing Congestion.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association