The Latest
-
Permission granted by Texas Central
Dallas-Houston high-speed rail proposal could benefit ‘whole of Texas,’ Amtrak executive says
The $30 billion Texas Central project faces several obstacles, Amtrak's Andy Byford said, but it's moving forward with Amtrak as a partner.
-
David Dee Delgado via Getty Images
New York City Employees’ Retirement System joins UN investor alliance committed to net-zero emissions
The nation’s largest municipal public retirement system joined the United Nations-backed Net-Zero Asset Owner Alliance, committing to transitioning its investment portfolio to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050.
-
Timothy Epple via Getty Images
Local decarbonization, energy efficiency projects get over $17M from DOE
The “highly flexible” grant program allows communities to pursue a broad range of projects, from home energy efficiency rebate programs to workforce training initiatives, according to the Department of Energy.
-
Magnus Manske. (2006). "Como Park Zoo and Conservatory-2006" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
Automation, efficiency upgrades at Minnesota zoo could save city up to $1.8M over 3 years
Groundwater-based geothermal heat pumps and building automation systems are among the changes at St. Paul's Como Park Zoo, which a city official said accounts for about 25% of total energy use among city properties.
-
Laurence Dutton via Getty Images
Google, NLC issue AI guide for city leaders
The digital divide that has plagued cities could turn into an “AI divide” as some local governments experiment with the technologies while others lack access, said a Google executive.
-
Permission granted by Dan Zukowski
MBTA improves Boston-area transit service but faces looming budget crunch
While General Manager Phil Eng addresses service and safety problems, he awaits the findings of a task force for a long-term budget solution.
-
Cole Rosengren/Smart Cities Dive
Boston requests new waste and recycling ideas ahead of 2027 contract expirations
Collection and disposal, waste prevention and recycling, data and analytics, and policy and behavior change are among the topics for which the city wants input. It reupped many existing contracts to buy more time to craft RFPs.
-
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
NY Gov. Hochul pressured to reinstate congestion pricing before Trump takes office
President-elect Donald Trump opposes New York's plan to toll drivers entering Manhattan's central business district. Advocates want the plan implemented now.
-
halbergman via Getty Images
With a $2.5M direct cash assistance pilot, Ohio city aims to boost low-income residents’ economic mobility
Columbus, Ohio, is pairing monthly payments with career-building and wealth-building programs to give residents a “crucial stepping stone.”
-
Sarah Rice via Getty Images
State infrastructure ballot initiatives see mixed results
Approved bond funding and climate resiliency-focused state ballot measures could provide new ways for municipalities to fund improvements.
-
Courtesy of Archer Aviation
NLC offers air taxi, drone guidance for city leaders
The National League of Cities debuts its Aviation Advisory Forum on Air Mobility and Drone Integration this week as a resource for local governments.
-
Retrieved from NYC Department of Environmental Protection.
Facing a historic drought and wildfires, New York City officials take action
New York City residents are experiencing climate change risks that they are “not used to seeing,” Department of Environmental Protection Commissioner Rohit Aggarwala said.
-
BackyardProduction via Getty Images
Trump taps former Rep. Lee Zeldin to lead EPA
The Trump administration will likely roll back EPA regulations affecting fossil-fuel power plants, said the president and CEO of a trade group for owners of coal-fired plants.
-
Go Nakamura via Getty Images
Heat pumps could save these Texas households money, reduce grid strain: ACEEE
The state should focus on deploying heat pumps in homes that currently use inefficient electric resistance heaters, say the authors of a paper from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
-
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Trump agenda has states, advocacy groups girding for legal battles
California, New York and Illinois are among states readying to sue the Trump administration over divisive issues such as reproductive rights, climate regulation and immigration.
-
Courtesy of Siemens Mobility
America awakens to high-speed rail
On bullet trains, the U.S. has lagged behind other nations for decades. That may finally be changing as high-speed rail projects expand, but big obstacles remain.
-
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
FTA orders transit agencies to protect workers amid rising assaults
“No American should go to work and worry they will not return home safely,” the Federal Transit Administration’s deputy administrator said. Agencies must respond by Dec. 26.
Updated Nov. 12, 2024 -
Michael Ciaglo via Getty Images
Denver to invest $570M in downtown revitalization after voters pass bond measure
The city plans to use newly authorized bond financing to invest in housing, local entrepreneurs, new businesses and public spaces.
-
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
How transit ballot measures fared in Nov. 5 elections
Many local and state transportation improvements earned bipartisan support even when measures asked to increase taxes, an analyst said.
Updated Nov. 8, 2024 -
Jacob Wallace/Smart Cities Dive
New York City official backs composting over codigestion, citing environmental justice concerns
Residents across New York City are now putting their organics into curbside bins for collection. But where those organics will be processed continues to be up for debate.
-
Scott Olson via Getty Images
How ‘floating car data’ can help cities tackle traffic
Smart city technology can save transportation agencies money and inform conversations with the public, says a white paper by consulting firm Frost & Sullivan.
-
Retrieved from Governor Gavin Newsom.
California sues city for banning new homeless shelters
Norwalk, California’s ban on shelters and other housing violates several state laws, according to California, which first threatened legal action against the city in September.
Updated Nov. 7, 2024 -
adamkaz / iStock / Getty Images Plus via Getty Images
The multifamily housing-related ballot measures that passed, and failed, on election day
Eight out of 13 major housing-related measures were approved in jurisdictions nationwide during this week’s election.
Updated Nov. 7, 2024 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
How will a second Trump administration affect transportation policy?
Federal support for public transportation, Amtrak, high-speed rail and electric vehicles may be at risk, experts said.
-
Art Wager via Getty Images
Dockless bikes and scooters cluttering your city’s streets? Here are potential solutions.
Parking corrals, photo verification and micromobility locking requirements are making a dent in the complaints plaguing some localities.
