EPA

Deciding When Regulation Cost Too Much

Nearly everyone agrees that government needs to regulate. How much to regulate is the question. Reason Magazine looks at several current regulatory issues concludes that the regulatory pendulum "has swung too far."

January 4, 2012 - Reason Magazine

EPA's $9.6 Billion Holiday Gift To Environmentalists

The EPA issues its first national standards for mercury pollution from power plants, requiring a dramatic reduction of pollutants 90% by 2016.

December 22, 2011 - The New York Times

Best Smart Growth Projects in America

This year, the Environmental Protection Agency looked at "articulate" city plans that aimed for a more sustainable future. There were five plans across that nation that were awarded for "achievement in smart growth."

December 1, 2011 - The Atlantic Cities

Chicago to Upgrade Their River System

Notification from the EPA has allowed Chicago to adopt new standards that "will help to further the transformation of the Chicago river system from sewage canal to valuable recreational and economic asset," says Regional Administrator Susan Hedman.

November 16, 2011 - Environmental Protection

Death from Air Pollution is 2m Each Year, Says New Report

World annual death toll due to particulate pollution from indoor and outdoor sources is 2 million people each year, according to a new report from the World Health Organization.

October 3, 2011 - USA Today

Obama Axes New Ozone Rules

President Obama has directed EPA Administrator Lisa Jackson to drop proposed regulations that would have reduced ozone (smog), handing a victory to Republicans and industry that had opposed them, to the dismay of the environmental community.

September 3, 2011 - Bloomberg News

Cleaner Air for East Coast Residents

The EPA announces new emissions standards for power plants that will "improve air quality for 240 million Americans living in states where the pollution is produced or where it travels downwind."

July 8, 2011 - The New York Times

Rust Belt Mayors Are Greening Brownfields

With the unlikely help of a group called the Mayors Automotive Coalition, down-at-the-heels towns are reinventing themselves - in various shades of green.

June 15, 2011 - OnEarth

EPA, DOT Release New Fuel Economy Stickers for New Cars

The new stickers offer significantly more useful information for comparing a new vehicle's gas mileage to other cars, including how much a year's worth of gas will cost you and the impact of that car on the environment.

May 30, 2011 - Fast Company

TOD is Greener Than Green

It's official, says the EPA: Living in a TOD reduces greenhouse gas emissions more than living in a green, single family home and driving a Prius. The study places major emphasis on local land use decisions in an effort to fight climate change.

March 18, 2011 - New Urban Network

Energy Efficiency is about Location, Location, Location

A new peer reviewed study reveals that housing located in compact, transit-oriented and location efficient developments are more likely to consume less energy than developments in low density suburban areas.

February 25, 2011 - NRDC

The Best Greens for Your Green Roof

The Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture at Colorado State has indentified five particular species of plant that work well in semi-arid climates for green roofs.

January 21, 2011 - Energy Daily

First Mountaintop Mining Permit Expected To Be Revoked

A major mountaintop mining permit is likely to be rejected after an environmental review found "unacceptable" impacts on water quality and wildlife. This would be the first major rebuke to the mining practice, and could foreshadow its end.

November 2, 2010 - Nature

Motorists To Pay Ozone 'Penalty' in Central Valley

In a unanimous vote on Oct. 21, the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District approved another 'first' air quality measure not done elsewhere: They supported charging Valley motorists for paying the $29 million ozone penalty set by the E.P.A.

October 24, 2010 - The Fresno Bee

Can The Feds Make Sustainability Happen?

The Obama administration is trying to rein in suburban sprawl. But is it any match for 70 years of unsustainable development?

July 10, 2010 - The American Prospect

Combined NHTSA & EPA Standards for New Cars Issued

Normally fuel economy standards are set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Due to the 2007 Supreme Court ruling on the Clean Air Act, the new rules are jointly issued by the EPA to regulate tailpipe emissions as well as CAFE.

April 5, 2010 - Union Of Concerned Scientists

EPA Plots Plan to Restore Great Lakes

With heavily polluted waters and eroding shorelines, the Great Lakes are undergoing a rapid deterioration in health. The Environmental Protection Agency has unveiled a 5-year plan to restore the lakes.

February 23, 2010 - Los Angeles Times

The Federal Government's Sustainable Urbanism Challenge

Sustainability is going federal through a new collaboration between HUD, EPA and DOT. Anthony Flint takes a look at the new coordinated effort and some of the challenges it faces.

February 17, 2010 - Citiwire

DOT, HUD and EPA All Trumpet Smart Growth

Anthony Flint reports from the New Partners for Smart Growth Conference, where the Feds all spoke about coordinating at the federal level to implement smart growth policies.

February 8, 2010 - Lincoln Institute of Land Policy blog

EPA Recognizes Land Use/Global Warming Connection

For possibly the first time, the EPA has issued a report the directly links climate change mitigation with local land use strategies, says Patty Salkin.

January 19, 2010 - Law of the Land

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.