What could FEMA’s new disaster resilience zones mean for communities?

The program could be a “major inflection point in U.S. climate and disaster policy,” according to Urban Institute researchers, but the investment could also spur “green gentrification.”

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 16, 2024

3 crucial infrastructure priorities for city leaders in 2024

As infrastructure challenges mount, local governments have critical choices ahead. Why now is the time to invest in resilient and future-ready solutions.

Jan. 16, 2024

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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

California launches website to track $180B in infrastructure investment

While details on projects such as the state’s infamous high-speed rail project are scant, the map provides a broad overview of the work that is underway.

By Joe Bousquin • Jan. 12, 2024

Hertz reverses course on electric vehicles

The company, which once said EVs would account for a quarter of its rental fleet by 2025, is selling some 20,000 electric vehicles and replacing them with gas-powered cars.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 12, 2024

Delivery has a pollution problem. These cities are working to address it.

A new initiative will help cities test innovative startup and corporate solutions in a bid to curb ballooning emissions, primarily from trucks.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 12, 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

Outdoor workers at risk even on ‘cooler’ summer days, study finds

Researchers found that laborers came to work dehydrated and had elevated core temperatures even under moderate conditions.

By Zachary Phillips • Jan. 10, 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

How 3 states are attacking carbon emissions from transportation

While 21 states sued the federal government over its new rule requiring transportation emission reduction targets, others are forging ahead to clean up this sector.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 8, 2024

FEMA disaster resilience loan program grows to $150M this year

The Federal Emergency Management Agency streamlined the application process for the funding program based on feedback from last year.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 8, 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

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

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

Wisconsin to spend $414M on wastewater, storm infrastructure

The largest amount ever from the state’s Clean Water Fund will flow to 84 municipalities.

By Matthew Thibault • Jan. 2, 2024

Los Angeles commercial waste system at a crossroads amid contract renegotiation

The recycLA program has seen positive results, but haulers are lagging on diversion targets and organics service. The city, while trying to amend the program, could issue a new RFP or even take over service itself.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 22, 2023

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

EPA picks 11 ‘grantmakers’ to dole out $600M for environmental justice projects

By selecting community-based organizations as pass-through entities for grants, the Environmental Protection Agency says it is reducing barriers to federal funding.

By Ysabelle Kempe • 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

$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

Senators call for changes to ‘inefficient’ disaster recovery funding program

The status quo leaves disaster-struck communities in the lurch as they wait for Congress to OK recovery funds, experts said at a Senate appropriations subcommittee hearing.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 18, 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