Creating a centralized authority for approving infrastructure projects can help the U.S. to meet environmental goals, experts say.
According to the Department of Energy, the US has the potential to generate four times the amount of energy currently generated by power plants through off-shore wind turbines. However, as demonstrated in the 12-year approval process faced by the pioneering Cape Wind proposal for wind turbines on Nantucket Sound, regulatory hurdles and NIMBY grassroots action present a grave challenge to harnessing wind energy, reports Tom Zeller Jr.
While locals opposed the project on aesthetic and environmental grounds, policy experts cite decentralization of permitting authority as a major setback to getting off-shore projects approved.
Projected for completion by 2015, Cape Wind has the potential to meet 3/4 of Cape Cod's energy needs.
As part of its 2010 Smart from the Start initiative to promote renewable energy, the Obama administration has launched seven pilot off-shore projects in the U.S., but experts agree that expediting the permitting process is the only way to get closer to meeting the EPA's guidelines for 80 percent greenhouse emissions reduction by 2050.
FULL STORY: Cape Wind: Regulation, Litigation and the Struggle to Develop Off-shore Wind Power in the U.S.
Foundations for First U.S. Offshore Wind Power Towed to Construction Site
Last week the foundations for five wind turbines were towed into place off Block Island, 13 miles east of Rhode Island in the Atlantic Ocean. Scheduled to go online in 2016, they will be the first offshore wind turbines in the United States.
New York Offshore Wind Farm Offers Hope for Nascent Industry
The first commercial-scale offshore wind installation in the United States is powering roughly 70,000 homes in Long Island, New York.
Northern California Port Seeks Offshore Wind Lease
The Port of Humboldt has proposed a plan to modernize its facilities to accommodate offshore wind energy production, hoping to stimulate the local economy and create sustainable jobs.
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