Urban agriculture gets $9M boost from USDA

Local groups in 10 cities are getting funds to connect urban food producers to federal services.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 15, 2024

How local zero-waste efforts can benefit from state resources

Massachusetts and Colorado are helping municipalities leverage funding and technical assistance that may not often be accessible to smaller communities, said speakers at the National Zero Waste Conference.

By Megan Quinn • Oct. 15, 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

Uber spurs electric vehicle use with pop-ups in 4 cities, new features

An AI-powered virtual assistant for EV-curious drivers is among the ride-share giant’s expanded green product suite.

By Zoya Mirza • Oct. 14, 2024

How to address a key building decarbonization barrier: the ‘split incentive gap’

While landlords and developers foot the bill for efficiency upgrades, tenants benefit from lower energy costs. A Sustainable Markets Initiative road map outlines policies and other ways to address the mismatch.

By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 11, 2024

Green roofs on bus shelters are Boston’s latest climate resilience move

It's the nation’s largest single installation of green roofs on bus shelters, the city says. It hopes the infrastructure will ease stress on Boston’s aging drainage system.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 11, 2024

Gas utility faces climate deception lawsuit by Oregon county

It's the first time a U.S. community has sued a gas utility for allegedly deceiving the public about the climate impacts of fossil fuels, advocates say.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 10, 2024

Bill aims to help disaster-struck communities excluded from federal relief

The bipartisan proposal would give more communities access to federal dollars in the wake of increasing natural disasters.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 9, 2024

EPA requires lead pipes to be replaced nationwide within 10 years

The landmark rule imposes the strictest limits on lead in drinking water since federal standards were set 30 years ago.

By Julie Strupp • Oct. 8, 2024

Skills gap looms for energy efficiency jobs tied to net-zero emission goals: IEA

Dialogue among policymakers, employers and labor unions will play a critical role in training workers for skills relevant to the jobs being offered, a new International Energy Agency report says.

By Nish Amarnath • Oct. 4, 2024

What’s the value of a city’s nature? San Antonio pilots tool to find out.

Designed by a Stanford University-based group, the tool shows how land use changes could impact carbon sequestration, urban cooling and residents’ access to nature. More cities may eventually get access.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 3, 2024

How cities can handle election waste

Local governments are preparing to deal with high volumes of yard signs, mailers and campaign material as the fall election season ramps up. Programs in Pennsylvania, Texas, Florida and elsewhere encourage recycling and reuse.

By Adina Solomon • Oct. 2, 2024

FEMA’s push for resilience in building codes gets scrutiny in House hearing

Emergency managers touted the cost-effectiveness of more resilient buildings, but keeping up with the latest codes is a struggle for some local governments and homebuilders.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Oct. 2, 2024

1.6M customers still without power after Helene; some local grids must ‘be completely rebuilt’

Multiple utilities say they will need to completely rebuild, rather than repair, electric systems in the hardest-hit areas. 

By Robert Walton • Oct. 1, 2024

2025’s top smart city conferences

Smart city technology, housing, climate action, road safety and more will take center stage at events already announced for next year.

By Ysabelle Kempe , Dan Zukowski • Oct. 1, 2024

Affordable multifamily housing owners would get decarbonization help in NYC proposal

Building owners purchasing “offset certificates” to help meet Local Law 97’s greenhouse gas emissions-reduction requirements would pay into the fund.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 30, 2024

Now is the time to ‘lean into’ decarbonizing transportation sector: Biden climate advisor

Reducing transportation emissions represents a “massive public health opportunity,” Ali Zaidi, a national climate policy advisor for the Biden administration, said at Climate Week NYC.

By Lamar Johnson • Sept. 30, 2024

Customer satisfaction with public EV charging is improving: JD Power

Electric vehicle owners are particularly satisfied with the speed of public fast chargers. But public charging infrastructure isn’t keeping up with the number of EVs in service, a J.D. Power executive said.

By Kalena Thomhave • Sept. 27, 2024

HUD extreme heat playbook focuses on increasing resilience in housing

The guidance identifies potential federal funding sources and example projects that it says could work elsewhere across the country.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 27, 2024

San Francisco’s BottleBank aims to boost recycling in a state with limited container deposit options

California is set to invest millions in innovations meant to make its container deposit return system operate more efficiently. BottleBank shares lessons from its first two years in operation as a mobile bag drop program.

By Megan Quinn • Sept. 26, 2024

Miami-Dade County, Florida, postpones vote on new incinerator due to siting concerns

The decision should not be taken lightly given the history of a waste incinerator that polluted one neighborhood for decades, a commissioner said. 

By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 24, 2024

Seattle boosts electric heat pump incentives with goal to eliminate oil-heated homes

With the city's new rebate, income-qualified households can access up to $8,000 each to switch from oil heat to an electric heat pump.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 24, 2024

NOAA, Climate Mayors ink agreement to bring more science, data tools to communities

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration will ensure the mayors can access the latest climate information, while Climate Mayors will contribute to NOAA case studies on resilience. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 23, 2024

How a 2nd Trump administration could ‘jeopardize’ Inflation Reduction Act climate funds

If elected, could Donald Trump claw back or withhold funds from communities? Experts from Columbia University’s Sabin Center for Climate Change Law offer insight.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Sept. 19, 2024

Minneapolis airport unveils plans for geothermal heating, rainwater harvesting in $263M expansion

The terminal expansion effort will reduce 56% of water utility use, 19% of overall heating and cooling energy demand and 62% of exterior lighting energy demand, the airport commission said.

By Brian Martucci • Sept. 19, 2024

GM, EVgo plan 400 EV charging stations in US metro areas

Most flagship stations are expected to feature up to 20 stalls, but some select sites will offer significantly more chargers. 

By Eric Walz • Sept. 18, 2024