Energy & Utilities: Page 3

  • An HVAC worker is seen to perform heat pump maintenance
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    9 states pledge to accelerate zero-emission heat pump sales

    The pledge sends a clear market signal, said the senior policy advisor for an association of Northeastern state air quality agencies.

    By • Feb. 7, 2024
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    adamkaz via Getty Images
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    Neighborhood-scale building decarbonization: 2 approaches

    Relying on the replacement of one appliance at a time isn’t enough to meet federal and state climate goals, said the Building Decarbonization Coalition’s executive director. 

    By • Feb. 6, 2024
  • smart city, smart cities Explore the Trendline➔
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    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
  • an empty row of EV chargers at a public park
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    Young777 via Getty Images
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    Is the EV revolution over?

    Despite a sales slowdown, apartment owners and developers should charge ahead with electric vehicle infrastructure, experts say.

    By Amanda Loudin • Feb. 1, 2024
  • As part of a maintenance check, a service engineer inspects the solar cell on a building roof for a damaged part.
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    NewSaetiew via Getty Images
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    FEMA to help communities pay for net-zero energy projects post-disaster

    Communities can now leverage the agency’s grant programs to install solar microgrids, heat pumps and passive cooling when rebuilding schools, hospitals, fire stations and other infrastructure in disaster’s wake.

    By • Feb. 1, 2024
  • Aerial shot of city streets and tall buildings
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    RoschetzkyIstockPhoto via Getty Images
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    US cities’ outlook for 2024

    Cities are pushing ahead on innovative bids to build more sustainable, safe and equitable communities, but many of the roadblocks they face likely aren't going anywhere.

    By Smart Cities Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2024
  • The backs of three people sitting at an overlook over a city and mountains at sunset
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    Mario Tama/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Extreme heat watch: Will cities be ready for summer 2024?

    This year could be even hotter than last year’s record-breaker, some scientists say. Cities are using the winter to prepare.

    By • Jan. 31, 2024
  • View from below of a twin silver bridges stretching across water.
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    The image by Pi.1415926535 is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
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    Connecticut beefs up energy storage incentives to meet 1 GW goal by 2030

    Residential customers can get as much as $16,000 in upfront incentives — up from the previous maximum of $7,500.

    By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 25, 2024
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    Jim Vondruska/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    Chicago mayor proposes natural gas ban in new buildings

    This marks the first time the city has introduced a building decarbonization ordinance, a city employee said. The proposal drew swift backlash from the local gas industry.

    By • Jan. 25, 2024
  • A modern office with glass windows looking over a green outdoor courtyard.
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    Fahroni via Getty Images
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    ASHRAE updates energy efficiency standard for existing buildings

    The 2024 edition of Standard 100 contains new metrics for setting emissions targets and a “simple” compliance mechanism for energy-efficient and low-emission buildings.

    By Joe Burns • Jan. 22, 2024
  • The silhouette of a high voltage power line line towers during sunset.
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    imaginima via Getty Images
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    Robot worms, lasers, drones and AI: How the DOE wants to move the US power grid underground

    The U.S. Department of Energy on Tuesday announced $34 million in funding to explore novel approaches to undergrounding power lines to increase resiliency.

    By Robert Walton • Jan. 19, 2024
  • Aerial shot of urban downtown
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    RoschetzkyIstockPhoto via Getty Images
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    Affordable housing faces building performance standards challenges, report says

    Facing costly upgrades, hefty fines and lacking technical assistance, the affordable housing sector needs more help from cities and states with such policies, says a new American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy report.

    By • Jan. 18, 2024
  • Pedestrians and a cyclist cross a crosswalk at a busy city intersection with a burst of sunlight shining through.
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    deberarr via Getty Images
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    6 trends that could shape US cities in 2024

    Cities will contend with a shifting transportation picture, increased urgency to act on climate change, and innovative policies and technologies to address longstanding concerns.

    By , , • Jan. 17, 2024
  • Atlantic Aviations and BETA Technologies will install electric charging stations in separate deals with Archer Aviation and Joby Aviation.
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    Courtesy of BETA Technologies, Inc.
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    Air taxi charging infrastructure coming to 3 states in Archer, Joby deals

    The two eVTOL manufacturers are moving closer to commercial passenger flights as federal officials urge state and local governments to plan for the needed infrastructure.

    By • Jan. 17, 2024
  • Cars make their way toward downtown L.A. during the morning commute
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    Mario Tama via Getty Images
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    US greenhouse gas emissions fell in 2023, despite economic growth: Rhodium

    Preliminary estimates show emissions are now 17.2% below pre-2005 levels, but the emissions reduction rate needs to more than triple to reach Paris Agreement goals.

    By Lamar Johnson • Jan. 16, 2024
  • A gray four-door crossover vehicle with a woman seated with her hand on the steering wheel is parked in front of a Hertz building.
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    Courtesy of Hertz/GM
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    Hertz reverses course on electric vehicles

    The company, which once said EVs would account for a quarter of its rental fleet by 2025, is selling some 20,000 electric vehicles and replacing them with gas-powered cars.

    By • Jan. 12, 2024
  • View of the facade of a modern building using renewable energy
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    t_kimura via Getty Images
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    Buildings can reduce energy intensity by up to 38%: report

    Undertaking energy savings and energy efficiency measures by 2030 can garner up to $2 trillion in annual savings, according to a white paper by the World Economic Forum and PwC. 

    By Nish Amarnath • Jan. 11, 2024
  • Looking down a city street lined with colorful houses, trees, cars and power lines.
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    Scharvik via Getty Images
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    New buildings that use natural gas lose final utility subsidy in California

    Incentives that indirectly help expand the gas system don’t align with the state’s climate goals, the California Public Utilities Commission said.

    By • Jan. 9, 2024
  • A rendering of an Electric Era charger charging a vehicle.
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    Permission granted by Electric Era
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    Opinion

    To spur more EV chargers, regulators must get creative with demand charges

    No matter what the incentives for installing an EV charger, very few businesses will enter this marketplace if selling the product leads to thousands of dollars in charges that aren’t made up for with revenue.

    By Chris Kaiser • Jan. 8, 2024
  • An artistic rendering of a building which is transitioning from fossil fuel use to renewable sources like solar panels
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    Oliver de la Haye via Getty Images
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    To define zero emissions for buildings, Biden administration seeks input

    Feb. 5 is the deadline to submit information on Part 1 of the definition, which addresses operating emissions, including those from tenants.

    By Nish Amarnath • Jan. 5, 2024
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    David McNew via Getty Images
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    Federal court won’t reconsider decision to overturn Berkeley, California, natural gas ban

    The denial of the city’s request for a rehearing left the court divided, with a strong dissent by 11 judges. If Berkeley wants to continue to appeal the decision, its next stop would be the U.S. Supreme Court.

    By • Jan. 2, 2024
  • Upward-facing shot of tall buildings and blue sky
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    franckreporter via Getty Images
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    What US cities could look like in 2024: 6 predictions

    Safer, greener communities with more housing, greater civic participation, and diversified downtowns are what these experts envision for the coming year.

    By the Smart Cities Dive Team • Jan. 2, 2024
  • natural gas stove flame
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    "Stove flame" by Paul Kretek is licensed under CC BY 2.0
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    Legal threats to city, state natural gas bans: A timeline

    Berkeley, California’s legal battle with the California Restaurant Association comes to a close as the city agrees to repeal its first-in-the-nation ban on gas in new buildings.

    By • Updated March 27, 2024
  • Sign for the US Department of Energy out-front of their headquarters the James Forrestal Building in Washington, D.C.
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    The Bold Bureau via Getty Images
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    DOE allocates $40M for energy audit training

    The funds aim to help states upskill a workforce that will evaluate energy efficiency to help building owners save money and combat climate change.

    By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 22, 2023
  • The outside of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit during the day
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    Retrieved from U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit.
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    Gas industry sues DOE over new furnace efficiency rule, citing cost and other concerns

    The new rule will require gas furnaces to be 95% efficient, but the American Gas Association and other stakeholders say it effectively bans a product class and will drive prices higher for many consumers.

    By Robert Walton • Dec. 21, 2023
  • Person holding up EV charger to car
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    coldsnowstorm via Getty Images
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    Tesla EV charging stations are coming to these North American hotels

    The partnership is the latest between a hotel company and EV charging provider as hotels increasingly seek to cater to eco-conscious guests.

    By Noelle Mateer • Dec. 21, 2023