City and state governments, once ethusiastic purchasers of SUVs as extravagent perks for officials, are kicking the gaz-guzzling habit as face budget deficits.
"In Massachusetts, Gov. Mitt Romney has canceled the gas-guzzling habit as he deals with the state's $3 billion budget deficit. Romney has asked why the state should fund a fleet of SUVs when regular sedans, which sell for less than half the price of SUVs, and which are considerably cheaper to run, maintain and insure, would equally suffice...Philadelphia is believed to have one of the largest city fleets of SUVs in the nation...One example of unnecessary SUV activity was found at Philadelphia International Airport, where, until recently, a Hummer H2 was being used to scare birds off the runway...Pennsylvania state law designates SUVs as passenger vehicles rather than trucks. They are therefore not subject to laws prohibiting trucks from entering the park, despite being exempt from the stricter federal fuel consumption and emissions standards imposed on cars."
Thanks to Michael Dudley
Read the full story: Guzzling Down
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California plans to bury El Niño’s downpour
If the state plays its cards right, it may be able to store a billion acre-feet of El Niño’s water in aquifers.
Desperate measures: Advocates weigh draining Lake Powell to fill Colorado River
Draining the reservoir could reduce evaporation losses by a couple hundred thousand acre-feet.
Housing is the top priority of Seattle’s sole new councilmember
Jenks campaigned on building 1,000 new units of affordable housing.
New tax cuts may slash $1.5 billion in funding for Miami transit, public parks
Amendment 3 will save Miami-Dade residents homeowners $2,700 in 2028.
Arizona, Wisconsin, Pennsylvania hope to finally advance climate goals post-midterms
The three states have spent years under Republican or divided control.
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.
City of Rosemead
Rutgers University, Edward J. Bloustein School of Planning and Public Policy
One Hundred Miles
University of Michigan School for Environment and Sustainability (SEAS)
Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)
The Architects Foundation
City of Cambridge
Montrose County
The Pocatello Development Authority