Since 1975, environmentalists and their allies have fought to raise fuel efficiency standards in new vehicles. On Tuesday, another attempt was made. Meanwhile, an academic think tank testifies for an alternative approach, albeit an unpopular one.
In March, the Bush administration raised the efficiency standard for light trucks by 1.8 miles by 2011, a move Transportation Secretary Norm Mineta called a "bold step forward".
"Many in Congress say the time has finally come, after about 30 years, to significantly boost the 27.5 mile-per-gallon Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard first set in 1977."
"The latest idea came Tuesday when Sens. Dianne Feinstein, D-Calif., and Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, proposed a sharp increase of 10 miles a gallon by 2016."
"At stake in the debate is nothing less than the future price of gasoline and the growing world of alternative fuels, the fate of tens of thousands of auto manufacturing jobs and the chances for lessening the impact of automotive emissions on global warming."
Thanks to ABAG-MTC Library
FULL STORY: Administration, senators argue fuel strategies

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

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

In Urban Planning, AI Prompting Could be the New Design Thinking
Creativity has long been key to great urban design. What if we see AI as our new creative partner?

Cal Fire Chatbot Fails to Answer Basic Questions
An AI chatbot designed to provide information about wildfires can’t answer questions about evacuation orders, among other problems.

What Happens if Trump Kills Section 8?
The Trump admin aims to slash federal rental aid by nearly half and shift distribution to states. Experts warn this could spike homelessness and destabilize communities nationwide.

Sean Duffy Targets Rainbow Crosswalks in Road Safety Efforts
Despite evidence that colorful crosswalks actually improve intersection safety — and the lack of almost any crosswalks at all on the nation’s most dangerous arterial roads — U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy is calling on states to remove them.
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.
Appalachian Highlands Housing Partners
Gallatin County Department of Planning & Community Development
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie