After years of debate, San Francisco plans to close the diesel- and natural gas-burning Potrero Hill Plant, one of the dirtiest facilities in California, by January 1, reports John Coté.
The long-overdue closure has been delayed chiefly by a state requirement that San Francisco be able to supply its own power in the event of an emergency, according to Coté. Plans to replace the aging facility with a new, cleaner-burning natural gas plant were ultimately dropped in favor of transmitting power from other parts of the state. Coté says some officials hope the change, while not an ideal solution, will keep the city from making a long-term commitment to non-renewable power generation as it explores more "imaginative alternatives."
The decision is particularly welcome news to nearby residents, writes Coté:
"The impending closure comes after bruising political infighting at City Hall and is a clear victory for residents of the oft-neglected southeast corner of the city. Many residents there suffer from disproportionately high rates of cancer, asthma and other health problems. Some have fought for more than a decade to shut down the plant, which sits between the waterfront and a residential neighborhood."
FULL STORY: SF shutting down power plant Jan. 1

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

Map: Where Senate Republicans Want to Sell Your Public Lands
For public land advocates, the Senate Republicans’ proposal to sell millions of acres of public land in the West is “the biggest fight of their careers.”

Restaurant Patios Were a Pandemic Win — Why Were They so Hard to Keep?
Social distancing requirements and changes in travel patterns prompted cities to pilot new uses for street and sidewalk space. Then it got complicated.

Platform Pilsner: Vancouver Transit Agency Releases... a Beer?
TransLink will receive a portion of every sale of the four-pack.

Toronto Weighs Cheaper Transit, Parking Hikes for Major Events
Special event rates would take effect during large festivals, sports games and concerts to ‘discourage driving, manage congestion and free up space for transit.”

Berlin to Consider Car-Free Zone Larger Than Manhattan
The area bound by the 22-mile Ringbahn would still allow 12 uses of a private automobile per year per person, and several other exemptions.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
JM Goldson LLC
Custer County Colorado
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Claremont
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)