Transit agencies continue to add zero-emission buses to their fleets

More than 7,000 full-size battery and fuel cell electric buses are in use or on the way, according to Calstart’s latest report, but shifting federal policies could affect future growth.

EPA to end environmental justice programs, monitoring tools

As part of the Trump administration’s end to environmental justice programs, it has cut off access to EJScreen, a monitoring tool used to track environmental justice metrics. 

JD Vance calls for zoning, regulation reform to improve housing affordability

Vice President JD Vance, speaking at the National League of Cities Congressional City Conference, also blamed immigrants for competing with U.S. citizens for housing.

EPA revisiting dozens of climate, environment rules in ‘day of deregulation’

The agency said it would roll back a range of rules and programs, including some that are foundational to its efforts to address climate change. A new WOTUS definition is expected, as well as rollbacks to an emissions reporting program.

New approaches to procurement can drive innovation in public transit

The lengthy process from RFP to equipment delivery can result in trains that are already obsolete when they go into service. New technologies and procurement approaches could help.

Mayors condemn ongoing federal funding freeze

Infrastructure, child care, Meals on Wheels and after-school programs are among those impacted, elected officials and nonprofit leaders said at a National League of Cities meeting this week.

DOT removes equity, environmental factors from IIJA funding decisions

The move rolls back a Biden-era policy that included these considerations in decision-making criteria for infrastructure projects.

How DOGE will impact Washington, DC-area apartment owners

Cuts to the federal workforce have multifamily pros wondering about potential effects on one of the country's hottest markets.

$3.6B in homelessness, domestic violence funding still frozen, nonprofits say

A new motion asks the judge for clarity where the plaintiffs say Trump administration funding disbursements are falling short of a preliminary injunction's requirements.

Local government impacts of President Trump’s first 50 days

President Donald Trump wasted no time in canceling or halting many of former President Biden’s initiatives that provided support to local governments. State, city and nonprofit leaders are turning to the courts to fight back.

Apartment, multifamily housing groups ask Trump to review housing regulations

The National Apartment Association and the National Multifamily Housing Council have asked 10 federal agencies to evaluate, rescind or revise rules that affect the multifamily industry.

California wildfire air pollution insights coming from air sensor network

Residents can track localized pollution, including particles from the wildfires that tore across Los Angeles in January, thanks to improvements in air quality sensor tech.

HUD cancels capacity-building contracts at affordable housing groups

The decision "will raise costs for families, hobble the creation of affordable homes, sacrifice local jobs, and sap opportunity from thousands of communities,” Enterprise Community Partners CEO Shaun Donovan said.

US DOT asks DC transportation authorities to focus on cutting crime

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy directed Amtrak, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority and the District Department of Transportation to report and take action to improve safety.

Washington state efficiency standards discouraging gas appliances prevail in federal court

A federal court ruling in Seattle will make it more expensive for builders who prefer to install or support natural gas appliances, critics say.

ComEd offering $100M in rebates to drive EV growth in Illinois

The program is meant to grow electric vehicle adoption by reducing charger installation costs in homes, businesses and public sites.

Austin, Texas, light rail project advances amid political uncertainty

The $7 billion light rail project unveiled its draft environmental impact statement in January. The project could face federal funding challenges and state opposition.

Massachusetts cuts $500M from state’s energy efficiency program

Eversource Energy thanked state regulators “for listening to customer concerns about affordability and taking the difficult action.”

Canceled mixed-use project leaves enormous hole in West Hollywood

Developer Charles Co. will need six to nine months and 27,000 dump trucks of dirt to fill in the excavated site.

Pedestrian deaths continued to decline in first half of 2024: GHSA

Despite an overall 2.6% reduction in pedestrian deaths over the past year, 23 states and the District of Columbia saw year-over-year increases in the first half of 2024.

Massachusetts to deploy 100 bidirectional EV chargers in first-of-its-kind ‘V2X’ pilot

The program is available for residential, commercial, municipal and school customers and could add 1.5 MW of flexible grid capacity by September 2026, program partners said.

Tax break programs help spur downtown DC office-to-residential conversions

The Housing in Downtown Program has supported three housing conversion projects to date, while a new program will provide tax breaks to projects that convert offices to “anything” in the city’s business corridor.

Updated March 5, 2025

US high-speed rail projects: The latest news

The passenger railroad seeks a firm to help it develop and manage construction of the proposed 240-mile Texas line.

Updated March 3, 2025

EPA $20B funding freeze leaves ‘green bank’ nonprofits unable to pay bills

“Local projects across the country will be unable to move forward without legal intervention” if EPA or Citibank does not unfreeze the funds, a Climate United Fund spokesperson said.

Are EVs the best approach to transportation equity? Maybe not, TEI report says

EVs’ high costs and the need for public charging make them less viable for many low-income communities, the Transportation Energy Institute says. It suggests a more inclusive approach.