From flooding to wildfires, US communities just faced a costly year

The $165 billion and 474 deaths linked to weather and climate disaster events in 2022 make it the third-costliest year on record, U.S. weather scientists reported Tuesday.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 11, 2023

California storms disrupt transit, Amtrak service

A series of strong winter rain storms led to canceled and delayed trains and flooded a major rail station.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 11, 2023

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

Federal agencies share ‘blueprint’ for transportation decarbonization

Energy, environment, housing and transportation regulators teamed up on strategies to realize a 100% clean electrical grid by 2035 and net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, with nods to micromobility, zoning reform and more.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 10, 2023

Madison, Wisconsin, approves complete green streets policy

The capital city’s new guide attempts to align with safety and sustainability goals and provide a more consistent and equitable framework for making decisions about the public right of way.

By Maria Rachal • Jan. 6, 2023

Updating local regulations may ease EV charging rollout

Improved regulations make it easier for developers to “know what they’re getting into,” said one transportation planner.

By Kalena Thomhave • Jan. 4, 2023

13 predictions about the trends that will shape smart cities in 2023

Cities will get smarter about transportation infrastructure needs, continue to rethink the use of downtown spaces and look at where data can help inform various operations, readers said.

By Danielle McLean • Jan. 3, 2023

10 conversations in 2022 on the future of mobility, high-speed rail, resilience and more

Smart Cities Dive caught up with executives from businesses including GM and Replica; officials from Austin, Oakland and other cities; and leaders from the U.S. Congress and Ukraine.

Jan. 3, 2023

Next steps for the Great Lakes region’s circular economy strategy

The Council of the Great Lakes Region and its partners are figuring out the first steps toward implementing a plan released this year. Plastics will be a prime focus in efforts to preserve water quality in the area.

By Katie Pyzyk • Dec. 22, 2022

Chicago launches climate infrastructure fund for nonprofits, small businesses

The $5 million Climate Infrastructure Fund intends to help pay for building efficiency improvements, electric vehicles, EV charging infrastructure and stormwater reduction efforts.

By Danielle McLean • Dec. 21, 2022

Postal Service to acquire 66,000 EVs by 2028

The electric delivery vehicles will start hitting the streets by the end of 2023, the U.S. Postal Service stated. The announcement followed criticism that the agency wasn’t transitioning enough of its fleet.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 21, 2022

New York state climate panel outlines ambitious road map to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

The plan is a “bold, monumental achievement,” New York’s environmental commissioner said, but the head of an independent power producer industry group said it fails to adequately address grid reliability.

By Stephen Singer • Dec. 20, 2022

Jersey City to fund community projects based on resident feedback

Local officials said the New Jersey city’s first participatory budgeting pilot worked better than expected, allowing them to understand residents’ priorities.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 20, 2022

Miami-Dade County releases extreme heat action plan

After appointing a chief heat officer last year, the county and its neighbors are doubling down on cooling strategies and educating the public, describing extreme heat as even more harmful than hurricanes.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 16, 2022

Seize the moment for climate action, mayors group says

“The federal government is making unprecedented investments in climate action,” and implementation in 2023 and beyond will be critical, said ​​​​​​Madison, Wisconsin’s mayor, the incoming chair of Climate Mayors.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 15, 2022

DOT to provide $1.5 billion for hard-to-fund transportation projects

Rural and urban areas will each receive half the funding, with at least $15 million guaranteed for projects in communities where there is persistent poverty or those considered historically disadvantaged.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 15, 2022

US reaches 140k public EV charging ports as key federal official says $90B infrastructure investment needed

The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation is preparing to finalize rules setting out minimum standards for a nationally-funded electric vehicle charging network.

By Robert Walton • Dec. 15, 2022

Demand soars for EV charging at apartments

Infrastructure options and cost incentives have become more complex as the electric vehicle revolution gears up.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Dec. 13, 2022

DC revisiting 2032 zero waste target as it proposes new policies, plans curbside compost pilot

Public works leaders hope that a forthcoming zero waste plan will accelerate efforts and help the District “leapfrog” over other cities. But the nation’s capital also has some unique demographic and infrastructure challenges.

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 12, 2022

Interactive ​​​​​​​NYC tree map aims to help residents care for urban forest

The new and improved resource adds park trees to previously tracked street trees in what NYC Parks describes as “the most comprehensive and up-to-date living tree map in the world.”

By Maria Rachal • Dec. 12, 2022

Lyft offers its ride-sharing drivers incentives to switch to EVs

The program is the latest in a series of moves Lyft has taken to fulfill its pledge to transition entirely to electric vehicles by 2030.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 12, 2022

NYC apartment owners weigh the dangers of electric bikes, scooters

Lithium-ion batteries used in mobility devices such as electric bikes and scooters have caused nearly 200 fires and six deaths in New York City this year.

By Leslie Shaver • Dec. 9, 2022

Los Angeles and San Diego ban polystyrene foam, other plastic products, on same day

The policies fit into broader state and local laws limiting plastic products, completing an effort in San Diego that a lawsuit previously blocked. Los Angeles will also look to limit waste at city facilities and events.

By Cole Rosengren • Dec. 8, 2022

Biden administration releases federal building performance standard, plan to electrify federal buildings

The new standard sets federal building electrification goals for 2030. The U.S. Department of Energy is seeking to require all new or renovated federally-owned buildings to be electrified.

By Danielle McLean • Dec. 7, 2022

Sacramento, California, to add protected bike lanes

Sacramento aims to boost transportation connections between neighborhoods and improve safety for cyclists, pedestrians and children at play.

By Michael Brady • Dec. 7, 2022

The states with the biggest influx of new renters

Millions of people are eager to move. Here’s where they’re headed, according to a new analysis.

By Mary Salmonsen • Dec. 7, 2022