Climate & Resilience: Page 9
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DC updates strategy to reach ‘zero waste’ by 2040, including many policy proposals
The plan calls for actions such as implementing commercial waste zones and banning certain items from disposal.
By Megan Quinn • Feb. 23, 2024 -
EPA rolls out $83M for air quality monitoring after tightening soot standard
The Biden administration is hoping to clean up the nation’s air, but about two-thirds of U.S. counties lack air monitors, according to Earthjustice.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 22, 2024 -
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 -
Why Colorado cities don’t want to pay for any of a $2B electric transmission project
The Municipal Energy Agency of Nebraska and three of its municipal utility members in Colorado contend they won't benefit from the project, which Xcel Energy’s Public Service Co. of Colorado is building.
By Ethan Howland • Feb. 22, 2024 -
Building decarbonization guide to be developed by ASHRAE, Noresco
The guide will provide case studies, guidance and key takeaways to help building owners and operators establish robust plans and feel confident in their decarbonization endeavors, says the chair of the guide’s working group.
By Nish Amarnath • Feb. 21, 2024 -
Chicago sues oil, gas companies to make them pay for ‘climate deception’
The nation's third-largest city joins dozens of other municipalities and states that have filed similar lawsuits.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 21, 2024 -
Infrastructure law may increase transportation’s GHG emissions as states spend more on highways
The White House is also expected to delay the transition to electric vehicles in a revision to the Environmental Protection Agency's proposed emissions regulation.
By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 20, 2024 -
For US aerial trams, the sky’s the limit
Aerial cable cars remain rare for U.S. urban transportation, but cities and private groups see them as a novel solution to traffic woes.
By Adina Solomon • Feb. 9, 2024 -
Boston’s first networked geothermal project will electrify 7 public housing buildings
Geothermal systems are a promising approach to transitioning communities off fossil fuels for heating and cooling, experts say.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 9, 2024 -
FTA to help electric transit bus buyers amid tough times for manufacturers
The White House convened a roundtable Wednesday on clean bus manufacturing as transit agencies working to green their fleets struggle with price increases and long delivery times.
By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 8, 2024 -
9 states pledge to accelerate zero-emission heat pump sales
The pledge sends a clear market signal, said the senior policy advisor for an association of Northeastern state air quality agencies.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 7, 2024 -
Neighborhood-scale building decarbonization: 2 approaches
Relying on the replacement of one appliance at a time isn’t enough to meet federal and state climate goals, said the Building Decarbonization Coalition’s executive director.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 6, 2024 -
ASHRAE, ICC unveil draft standard for GHG emission assessment in buildings
The proposed Standard 240P intends to provide a common platform to measure and report greenhouse gas emissions of buildings, the organizations say.
By Nish Amarnath • Feb. 5, 2024 -
California storms sever Amtrak, commuter rail line once again
Coastal erosion continues to threaten the Los Angeles-San Diego route. Authorities can’t say when it will reopen for passenger service.
By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 5, 2024 -
Q&A
Parks need money. These researchers have some ideas about where to get it.
Selling fallen trees, turning pool houses into year-round spas, and asking hotel guests to donate are among the ideas outlined in a new report by the Center for an Urban Future.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 2, 2024 -
FEMA to help communities pay for net-zero energy projects post-disaster
Communities can now leverage the agency’s grant programs to install solar microgrids, heat pumps and passive cooling when rebuilding schools, hospitals, fire stations and other infrastructure in disaster’s wake.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 1, 2024 -
US cities’ outlook for 2024
Cities are pushing ahead on innovative bids to build more sustainable, safe and equitable communities, but many of the roadblocks they face likely aren't going anywhere.
By Smart Cities Dive staff • Jan. 31, 2024 -
Extreme heat watch: Will cities be ready for summer 2024?
This year could be even hotter than last year’s record-breaker, some scientists say. Cities are using the winter to prepare.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 31, 2024 -
Where composting and food waste projects got $11.5M from USDA
The grants will enhance access to organics drop-off sites in several areas and build on existing capacity in dozens of localities nationwide.
By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 31, 2024 -
FHWA offers $729M for storm-damaged infrastructure
The funds will help states rebuild roads and bridges following natural disasters and extreme weather.
By Julie Strupp • Jan. 30, 2024 -
Zero-waste advocates see opportunity in EPA’s $4.6B GHG reduction grants
The U.S. EPA is offering funding for states, municipalities and tribes to implement major climate projects, with local plans due by March 1.
By Megan Quinn • Jan. 26, 2024 -
NOAA releases high-resolution land cover data to boost coastal climate resilience efforts
The new data is 900 times more detailed than what the agency previously provided. Local leaders have asked for such data for years, but it is often prohibitively expensive, NOAA Administrator Rick Spinrad said.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 26, 2024 -
Connecticut beefs up energy storage incentives to meet 1 GW goal by 2030
Residential customers can get as much as $16,000 in upfront incentives — up from the previous maximum of $7,500.
By Kavya Balaraman • Jan. 25, 2024 -
Public pensions in liberal-leaning states falling short on addressing climate risk: report
Failing to curb climate-related financial risk “puts the hard-earned savings of millions of Americans at risk,” the Sierra Club said of its report findings.
By Zoya Mirza • Jan. 25, 2024 -
Chicago mayor proposes natural gas ban in new buildings
This marks the first time the city has introduced a building decarbonization ordinance, a city employee said. The proposal drew swift backlash from the local gas industry.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Jan. 25, 2024 -
Google’s top AI tools for cities in 2024
Tools that identify disaster risks and aim to reduce vehicle emissions were among those a top Google executive highlighted at the U.S. Conference of Mayors meeting last week.
By Paige Gross • Jan. 23, 2024