EPA launches new Energy Star residential standard

Requirements for certification include heat pumps, resident electric vehicle charging stations, electric cooking appliances and highly energy-efficient construction.

By Mary Salmonsen • May 17, 2024

Clean energy fund surplus sparks tension in Pacific Northwest city

The Portland, Oregon, program has brought in millions of dollars more than originally anticipated, putting some city leaders and climate advocates at odds over how to proceed.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 16, 2024

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them in 2024.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Investigating the uptime challenges facing charge point operators

Explore the common causes of DC fast charger uptime issues.

May 13, 2024

23 states, rural co-ops sue EPA over ‘unlawful, unreasonable’ power plant rules

“This rule intentionally sets impossible standards to destroy the coal industry,” North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said Thursday.

By Robert Walton • May 10, 2024

HUD’s $4.8B green retrofit program announces first construction project deal

A new heat pump system will replace the existing gas-powered system at an apartment community housing low-income older adults.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 9, 2024

BMW’s future EVs will support bidirectional charging

The automaker’s next generation of vehicles will be able to store energy to send back to the grid.

By Eric Walz • May 7, 2024

How can cities build a future with fewer gas pipelines?

As some communities question the logic of continued investment in the gas system, a new RMI and National Grid paper looks at efforts to find alternatives.

By Ysabelle Kempe • May 6, 2024

DOE picks local clean energy projects to receive $27M in grants

More than three dozen state and local governments will receive funds, including $2.2 million for Chicago to launch a building electrification campaign, install EV chargers and other projects.

By Robert Walton • May 2, 2024

Clean energy transition could take ‘decades or generations,’ JPMorgan warns

New research from the U.S. bank pointed to inflation, high interest rates and geopolitical issues as key roadblocks delaying the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

By Zoya Mirza • May 1, 2024

Energy Department finalizes rule to phase out fossil fuels in federal buildings

The elimination of on-site fossil fuel use in new projects after 2030 is part of the Biden administration’s push for net-zero emissions from federal facilities by 2045.

By Nish Amarnath • April 29, 2024

EPA awards $7B to 60 low-income solar access programs

The funds will support community solar programs as well as initiatives to provide loans and grants to low-income households looking to install rooftop solar, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

By Emma Penrod • April 24, 2024

7 starting points for effective sustainability strategies

In today's environmentally conscious world, businesses cannot afford to ignore the impact of waste.

April 22, 2024

New tax credits are spurring resilience and clean energy shift in cities

The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) enables cities to adopt clean energy with new tax credit benefits.

April 15, 2024

5 ways cities can accelerate EV charger deployments equitably

Seek community input, learn from other cities, reduce regulatory barriers and other ideas from participants in the DOE’s Clean Energy to Communities Program.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 12, 2024

DOE awards $27M for communities to plan a clean-energy future

This is the first funding round for the Energy Future Grants initiative, which launched last year to help communities plan for transportation and building electrification, microgrids and solar projects.

By Ysabelle Kempe • April 11, 2024

How cities are building out public EV charging infrastructure

As more electric vehicles hit the road, municipalities and property owners are working with contractors to deploy EV chargers at libraries, airports, parks and other sites.

By Joe Burns • April 10, 2024

Rooftop heat pump technologies can save US businesses $5B annually: DOE

A new U.S. Department of Energy program aims to bring higher-efficiency rooftop heat pump technologies to market as soon as 2027.

By Nish Amarnath • April 9, 2024

Indiana DOT, Purdue collaborate on highway that charges EVs

Researchers will embed coils in a quarter-mile stretch of concrete roadway to produce a magnetic field that can recharge vehicles while they drive.

By Matthew Thibault • April 8, 2024

Inside the rise of groundwater-based geothermal heat pumps

The technology, which is cost-effective across 75% of the U.S. landmass and ideal for space-constrained users, could eventually displace utility gas service, proponents say.

By Brian Martucci • April 5, 2024

These 8 nonprofits got $20B from the Biden administration for local clean energy financing. Now what?

The “green bank” funds must be obligated by September 2024 amid efforts by Republican lawmakers to repeal the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.

By Ysabelle Kempe • April 5, 2024

High-priority local actions in Biden’s new plan to slash building GHG emissions

The Department of Energy blueprint lays out specific goals to lower U.S. building emissions 90% by 2050 compared with 2005 levels.

By Ysabelle Kempe • April 3, 2024

Utilities must come clean about the full value of community solar

Utilities often oppose customer-driven, third-party-owned energy projects like community solar because they threaten to supplant utility investments and utility shareholder profits.

By Jeff Cramer and John Farrell • April 3, 2024

IRS direct pay framework opens doors for tax-exempt entities to access clean energy credits

The U.S. Treasury Department’s final rule for the program paves the way for organizations to receive more than 30% of a project’s cost in direct cash payments for clean energy investments.

By Brian Martucci • April 2, 2024

New Mexico regulators approve El Paso Electric $11M EV plan, including low-income rebates

The rebate program has a total budget of $200,000 and will be available to 50 customers. El Paso Electric will also offer smart charging programs and incentives for charging equipment.

By Robert Walton • April 1, 2024

To chart its path away from gas, Massachusetts launches energy transformation office

Headed by a former utility executive, the office will convene a task force with representatives from utilities, municipalities, business, labor and the supply chain industry.

By Ysabelle Kempe • March 25, 2024