67% of low-income households face high energy burden: ACEEE

About one-quarter of all U.S. households face a high energy burden, with low-income households and communities of color spending disproportionately more of their income on energy costs. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 10, 2020

EV battery sustainability is a must to meet climate ambitions

Better governance of the extraction of EV minerals is essential to the future of mineral-producing countries, the electric vehicle industry and global transportation.

By Ethan N. Elkind and Patrick R. P. Heller • Sept. 8, 2020

Chicago launches $200M RFP to power city facilities by renewable energy

Under the contract, all city-owned buildings, streetlights and facilities would run on renewable energy starting in 2022, supporting the city's climate goals. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 3, 2020

It's time to reimagine a greener New York that mitigates extreme heat

The city should invest in more green infrastructure like parks, green roofs and street trees to tackle the health effects of extreme heat that disproportionately impact communities of color. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 31, 2020

Senate Democrats reveal climate plan to achieve net-zero carbon economy

The report calls on Congress to spend at least 2% of annual U.S. GDP on climate actions and require federal regulators to ensure publicly-traded companies disclose climate risks.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 27, 2020

Delaware transit agency to power electric buses with solar array

The Delaware Transit Corporation will install the 60,000-square-foot array at its facility in Dover, where it will power the facility and charge electric buses.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 26, 2020

Louisiana governor puts state on path to net-zero emissions by 2050

Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards established a task force through an executive order tasked with interim goals of reducing emissions 26-28% by 2025 and 40-50% by 2030.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 24, 2020

Northeast officials blast utilities after 'wholly inadequate' storm response

Hurricane Isaias brought Consolidated Edison, Eversource and other utilities their most power outages since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Aug. 10, 2020

Mandated energy efficiency scores would influence home buying: ACEEE

An empirical study of how U.S. homeowners value energy efficiency information found that homebuyers are more likely to purchase an efficient home if that data is presented in a listing.

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 6, 2020

San Diego turns off smart streetlights ahead of surveillance ordinance vote

Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the city had "no choice" but to turn the controversial technology off, days after it offered police to run the Smart Streetlights program.

By Chris Teale • Updated Sept. 14, 2020

GM, EVgo to triple fast charging network

The companies announced plans to add more than 2,700 new fast chargers in "highly visible areas" across 40 undisclosed metropolises. 

By Chris Teale • Aug. 3, 2020

EVs can be a grid asset if user experience is prioritized: SEPA

Utilities can use electric vehicles to more efficiently manage distribution grids, but experts on a Smart Electric Power Alliance panel Tuesday warned the focus must remain on the customer experience.

By Robert Walton • July 30, 2020

Changing grid architecture creates resilience opportunities: report

Over the next decade, utilities will invest about $1 trillion in power grid upgrades. That creates an opportunity to "reimagine the fundamental approach to grid resilience," according to a new report from Rocky Mountain Institute. 

By Robert Walton • July 24, 2020

Construction begins on Pittsburgh International Airport microgrid

The microgrid will completely power PIT by next summer, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative among major U.S. airports.

By Chris Teale • July 23, 2020

Smart pumps are key for more sustainable cities

The benefits of smart pumps align with the aim of smart cities to more effectively manage assets and resources — ultimately leading to the achievement of city sustainability goals.

By Peter Gaydon • July 20, 2020

3 steps to optimize buildings for the safe return of employees

The time has come to lean into smart technologies, get employees back at their desks and begin the process of rebuilding economies.

By Glenn Lurie • July 16, 2020

Biden outlines $2T plan to invest in renewables, electrification

Joe Biden said now is an "incredible opportunity" to recover from COVID-19 in a way that tackles climate change and creates jobs.

By Emma Penrod • July 15, 2020

15 states, DC collaborate on 100% electric truck sales by 2050

A memorandum of understanding gives states the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the California Air Resources Board's electric-truck sales rule. 

By S.L. Fuller • July 14, 2020

House Dems propose net-zero emissions by 2050

The climate proposal urges building, transportation and industrial electrification, and notably does not call for an end to natural gas fracking.

By Catherine Morehouse • July 1, 2020

Electrify America completes nation's first cross-country EV fast charging corridor

Meanwhile, a new analysis from The Brattle Group found the U.S. may need up to $125 billion in investment by 2030 to serve growth in the zero-emission transportation sector.

By Robert Walton • June 26, 2020

A COVID-19 hit to public power? For some, it's not all bad

Municipal utilities and other public power entities have unique challenges, and some advantages, when dealing with the financial impacts of the pandemic.

By Matthew Bandyk • June 26, 2020

US localities signed 335 renewable energy deals since 2015: report

A new renewables action tracker details the energy transactions made by local governments in the last five years, and the complementing efforts to influence renewable energy policy.

By Chris Teale • June 24, 2020

New York Power Authority, Signify upgrade 500K streetlights statewide

The partnership supports the Smart Street Lighting NY initiative, which looks to add LED lights and connect streetlights through IoT technology.

By Chris Teale • June 23, 2020

5 focal points needed to develop a smart city

Given the pace at which new technology is overtaking social infrastructure, cities must "up their game" with a greater sense of focus and urgency. 

By Clint Vince and Jennifer Morrissey • June 18, 2020

Cleantech incubator Greentown Labs expands to Houston

The incubator will offer testing space to early stage, climate-focused companies in an effort to make Houston the "energy transition capital of the world." 

By Chris Teale • June 17, 2020