Where land is scarce and housing is costly, some cities are looking up

Jurisdictions across the country are relaxing zoning laws to allow for taller multifamily construction.

By Amanda Loudin • Jan. 22, 2024

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 Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 18, 2024

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 Ysabelle Kempe , Dan Zukowski , Rachel H. Pollack • Jan. 17, 2024

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

Climate funding takes hit in California governor’s 2024 budget proposal

Transit funding, however, was relatively unscathed in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2024-25 fiscal year budget, which represents $20 billion in cuts from last year.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 11, 2024

What 2024 may hold for municipal bonds, a ‘crucial financing tool for cities’

Interest rate trends, investor demand and the 2024 elections could all impact the municipal bond market, according to finance experts.

By Gaby Galvin • Jan. 11, 2024

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 Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 9, 2024

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

Office-to-residential conversions raise questions at the curb

Plan for changes to parking use and curbside activity when approving office-to-residential or office-to-retail conversion, experts say.

By Amanda Loudin • Jan. 5, 2024

NYC starts first compliance period for building emissions reduction law

Even though 89% of covered buildings are set to meet 2024 emissions targets, building owners must act promptly to achieve 2030 goals, experts say. 

By Nish Amarnath • Jan. 4, 2024

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. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 2, 2024

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

Legal threats to city, state natural gas bans: A timeline

A Maryland county’s law requiring building standards that mandate all-electric buildings is under fire from business and labor groups and a gas utility.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Updated Oct. 30, 2024

NYC releases second set of final rules for Local Law 97 implementation

The rules define what a good-faith effort to decarbonize is, create a framework for retroactive enforcement, limit the use of renewable energy credits and more.

By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 20, 2023

$530M in building code technical assistance grants available from DOE

The grants will support a wide range of energy code and building performance standards activities, including workforce development, by state, local and tribal governments.

By Joe Burns • Dec. 20, 2023

To be truly net-zero, buildings must buy 100% renewable energy, global council says

A globally consistent definition of net-zero buildings is needed, the World Business Council for Sustainable Development says, while market commentators decry carbon compliance ambiguities.

By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 18, 2023

Cities: Our time is now

In recent years, cities have faced myriad challenges. Technological advancements in government operations and significant federal investment into cities are driving transformative change.

Dec. 18, 2023

More climate-friendly housing, faster, is the goal of NYC proposal to speed environmental reviews

Each eligible housing project could save an average of $100,000 and two years of review time, the city estimates.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 14, 2023

Seattle requires large buildings to zero out greenhouse gas emissions by 2050

As building performance standards gain traction nationwide, Seattle’s policy is the city’s most ambitious plan ever to reduce building emissions, the City Council said.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 13, 2023

NYC overhauls zoning to boost renewables, electrification

The “City of Yes” initiative, which took effect Dec. 11, is among the most significant zoning changes in New York City's history, the city's chief climate officer said.

By Joe Burns and Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 12, 2023

Fully remote work plummets, EY finds

The move away from full-time remote work is welcome news for the corporate real estate sector, but organizations face challenges in optimizing office space for their needs, the consulting firm said.

By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 12, 2023

Ford, Resideo to study how EVs can power homes

The automaker and smart home product company will test how Ford’s future electric vehicle batteries can reduce home energy costs.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 12, 2023

Warehouse roofs house New Jersey’s largest rooftop community solar project to date

The two installations will provide more than 1,400 nearby homes with discounted solar energy.

By Joe Burns • Dec. 11, 2023

Existing building stock challenges decarbonization goals

New construction codes that don’t align with performance standards for existing buildings pose a “serious problem,” said Sustainable Energy Partnerships’ managing director at an ASHRAE conference.

By Joe Burns • Dec. 8, 2023

HUD announces new building decarbonization efforts at COP28

As the U.S. pledges to make near-zero-emissions buildings the “new normal” by 2030, the housing agency is teaming up with other departments for access to the best available data and research.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 7, 2023