Energy & Utilities
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OpinionHow to keep electric vehicle investments on track in the new political climate
A clean fuel standard has worked in several states to fund EV infrastructure. It should be tried in more places.
By Laura Sherman • Jan. 10, 2025 -
Sakorn Sukkasemsakorn via Getty Images
Microgrids boost grid reliability, lower costs: Colorado road map
In the face of rising transmission costs and extreme weather impacts, self-contained grids can benefit both rural areas and urban centers, according to state agencies.
By Brian Martucci • Jan. 9, 2025 -
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TrendlineTop 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.
By Smart Cities Dive staff -
JasonDoiy via Getty Images
6 smart cities trends to watch in 2025
Transportation systems, housing policy and decarbonization approaches will evolve this year as the Trump administration assumes power and technology continues to advance.
By Ysabelle Kempe , Dan Zukowski • Jan. 9, 2025 -
Courtesy of Tesla Inc.
Rise in EV financing may signal growing interest among consumers: Experian
The arrival of new, more affordable models alongside the federal EV tax credit have boosted leasing.
By Kalena Thomhave • Jan. 3, 2025 -
tunart via Getty Images
9 predictions about what 2025 may hold for US cities
“Playground” cities will thrive, innovative housing programs will proliferate and technology will transform transit and municipal services, these sources say.
By Smart Cities Dive staff • Jan. 2, 2025 -
Tasos Katopodis via Getty Images
Biden raises GHG emissions-reduction goal, but experts say Trump ‘hellbent’ on reversing course
“Even though the Trump administration may not lift a finger to deliver on this plan, it sets a north star for what the U.S. should be aiming for,” said World Resources Institute's Debbie Weyl.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 20, 2024 -
Courtesy of General Motors
GM, ChargePoint partner to deploy 500 ultra-fast EV chargers
The two companies plan to open the charging stations to the public before the end of 2025.
By Eric Walz • Dec. 19, 2024 -
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Washington local governments sue to block builder-supported measure favoring natural gas
Voter-approved I-2066, which prevents the state and local governments from restricting access to natural gas, is unconstitutional, said Seattle, King County and other groups in a lawsuit filed last week.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 19, 2024 -
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OpinionThe key to successfully deploying heat pump water heaters? Funding innovation.
Small grants allow local organizations to test new technologies and approaches, a vital step in scaling climate solutions.
By Chris Badger • Dec. 17, 2024 -
Nafiz Rahat via Getty Images
92% of large NYC buildings meet 2024 carbon emission limits: report
Site energy use in buildings over 25,000 square feet dropped for the fifth year in a row, with 43% of buildings set to meet Local Law 97’s stricter 2030 targets, the Urban Green Council says.
By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 16, 2024 -
Phillip Faraone via Getty Images
California approves $1.4B to deploy 17,000 EV chargers, hydrogen fueling infrastructure
California has about 152,000 public and shared private chargers installed today, and it expects that number to reach 250,000 in the next few years.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 13, 2024 -
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5 community-scale geothermal systems to be built with $35M from DOE
The projects will demonstrate how communities can leverage energy underground to decarbonize buildings, the Department of Energy’s Geothermal Technologies Office says.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Updated Dec. 18, 2024 -
Gabriel Shakour via Getty Images
OpinionStepping up to achieve local climate progress despite federal headwinds
As a second Trump administration takes office, state and local action will be among the most effective means of continuing the momentum for clean energy deployment and cost reductions.
By Darren Springer • Dec. 11, 2024 -
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Deep DiveA Michigan city’s ‘sustainable energy utility’ got the green light from voters. What now?
By creating a supplemental utility that will focus on scaling up rooftop solar, battery storage and microgrids, Ann Arbor, Michigan, is taking its clean energy future into its own hands.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 10, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Biden administration releases $849M to fix aging water infrastructure in the West
The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding will help boost drought resilience via 77 projects in 11 states.
By Julie Strupp • Dec. 10, 2024 -
Courtesy of Rivian
Rivian to open its charging network to all EV drivers
The move follows Tesla’s decision to open its Superchargers to other automakers to improve public access and promote EV adoption.
By Eric Walz • Dec. 9, 2024 -
Courtesy of MIT Office of Sustainability
11 Boston-area institutions partner on renewable energy virtual power purchase agreements
Cambridge, Massachusetts, is among the participants in the Consortium for Climate Solutions, which will help develop renewable energy projects in Texas and North Dakota.
By Brian Martucci • Dec. 2, 2024 -
Ysabelle Kempe/Smart Cities Dive
AI could help cities tackle climate change, but only if it solves ‘real problems’: NYC climate chief
“We don’t need AI or big data to tell us with much greater detail how screwed we are as a city or as a planet,” Rohit Aggarwala said at Cornell Tech’s Urban Tech Summit last week.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 26, 2024 -
TomasSereda via Getty Images
New York City faces potential electricity resource shortfalls in 2033, 2034, system operator says
Transportation and building electrification, along with commercial projects like data centers and chip fabrication, are driving peak demand higher, according to the New York Independent System Operator.
By Robert Walton • Nov. 26, 2024 -
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IRS finalizes direct pay rules, increasing access to IRA’s clean energy tax credits
Direct-pay-eligible entities like local governments, public school districts, churches and hospitals will more easily be able to jointly invest in clean energy projects under rules released Tuesday.
By Diana DiGangi • Nov. 21, 2024 -
Jacob Boomsma via Getty Images
Thermal energy networks can decarbonize neighborhoods. Meet the US cities giving them a shot.
With federal dollars, cities want to leverage heat from waste sources and the ground to move buildings away from burning fossil fuels on-site.
By Brian Martucci • Nov. 18, 2024 -
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.
By Brian Martucci • Nov. 15, 2024 -
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.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 15, 2024 -
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.
By Joe Burns • Nov. 13, 2024 -
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.
By Ethan Howland • Nov. 12, 2024
