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 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

Explore the 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.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

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 Ysabelle Kempe • Updated March 27, 2024

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

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

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

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

Microgrids can drive resiliency, efficiency and profitability: JLL

Government buildings and healthcare facilities are among those that can benefit most significantly from microgrids, the report says.

By Joe Burns • Dec. 19, 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

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

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

VW is launching a vehicle-to-home EV charging pilot in Sweden

Other automakers are also working on bidirectional charging technology, which allows homeowners to tap into the massive power reserves of EV batteries when the vehicle is stationary.

By Eric Walz • Dec. 11, 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

House passes CARS Act to halt EPA’s proposed tailpipe emission standards

Proponents of the Choice in Automobile Retail Sales Act have said the environmental agency’s proposal is a de facto EV mandate.

By Kalena Thomhave • Dec. 7, 2023

Detroit unveils wireless EV charging roadway

The quarter-mile stretch recharges vehicles as they drive or park on the street. The charging technology will cover one mile of the road when complete.

By Kalena Thomhave • Dec. 6, 2023

Authorities raise alarm on cyber threats against water, other critical sectors

Hackers affiliated with Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps are behind a series of attacks targeting devices used in U.S. water and wastewater facilities, according to federal agencies.

By David Jones • Dec. 5, 2023

Detroit joins growing cohort in adopting energy, water benchmarking policy

The ordinance, which requires large buildings to annually report their energy and water use starting in 2024, is a key component of the city’s climate strategy.

By Nish Amarnath • Dec. 4, 2023

The US could still get to net-zero

The country could reduce nearly 90% of greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 without any Hail Mary innovations.

By Michael Jung and Adam Agalloco • Dec. 1, 2023

As building performance standards gain steam, noncompliant owners face business risks

Some cities respond to policy violations with financial penalties, but green lease clauses and submetering provide other levers to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, says real estate firm CBRE.

By Joe Burns • Updated Dec. 11, 2023

DOE releases $31M+ in grants for retrofits, infrastructure upgrades

Some cities will use the funds for resilience hubs, while others plan to conduct energy audits and upgrade facilities. Local governments can continue applying for the grants through April 2024.

By Nish Amarnath • Nov. 28, 2023