Utilities
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Courtesy of Circular Action Alliance
Oregon’s producer-funded recycling program offers cities a road map for cleaner waste streams
With plans for more than 140 dropoff depots by 2027, the state’s new program is designed to make recycling more efficient and manage hard-to-recycle materials without new taxpayer costs.
By Megan Quinn • Oct. 22, 2025 -
Permission granted by Oldcastle Infrastructure
Sponsored by Oldcastle InfrastructureKey steps every municipal water manager needs to take
Realities municipal water managers must consider to navigate the evolving water management landscape.
By Keaton Clay • Oct. 20, 2025 -
by Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
States sue EPA over canceled Solar for All grants
In the third lawsuit filed about the grants this month, 22 states and the District of Columbia contend the agency illegally revoked $7 billion in clean energy funds awarded to local governments.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 17, 2025 -
Chip Somodevilla via Getty Images
Republic, Teamsters end strikes that hit city trash routes nationwide
A final contract in Cumming, Ga., concludes months of labor unrest that disrupted trash collection in multiple cities.
By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 17, 2025 -
Alexi J. Rosenfeld via Getty Images
New York City could face power reliability issues beginning next year, state’s grid operator says
Reliability report findings “should be alarming to residents and serve as another wake up call for the state,” said Gavin Donohue, president of the Independent Power Producers of New York.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 15, 2025 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
Lawsuit challenges EPA rollback of solar program serving low-income communities
Community and labor groups argue the EPA’s termination of the $7 billion Solar for All program strips local governments of critical clean energy funding.
By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 7, 2025 -
David McNew via Getty Images
Communities brace for fallout as DOE terminates nearly $7.6B in clean energy project funding
Cuts to 223 projects across 16 states will mean job losses, higher energy costs and weaker grid reliability, experts and state agencies warn.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 3, 2025 -
Andrew Harnik via Getty Images
DOE cancels $7.6B in clean energy funding, hitting projects in 16 states
DOE officials say the cancellations target projects that were rushed through with weak documentation, while critics argue the move is political and will drive up costs for cities and consumers.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2025 -
Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
Top smart city conferences in 2026
Technology, housing, climate action, transportation, public safety and more take center stage at events for local government leaders in 2026.
By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2025 -
iStock, Marcus Lindstrom
Sponsored by Nationwide Energy PartnersMaster-metered multifamily: The missing ingredient for scalable virtual power plants
Master-metered multifamily unlocks the missing ingredient for virtual power plants: reliable, scalable load.
By Teresa Ringenbach, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs • Sept. 29, 2025 -
Getty Images
Cities and states split on EPA proposal to repeal endangerment finding
On the final day of public comment, mayors and attorneys general submitted opposing letters on the rule that has shaped federal climate policy since 2009.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 24, 2025 -
Permission granted by Sean Martin/Teamsters Local 25
Republic Services and Teamsters reach 5-year agreement in Boston
The new collective bargaining agreement brings an end to a monthslong strike that triggered a wave of labor action in other cities this summer.
By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 24, 2025 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
Newsom signs California energy package into law
The new provisions seek to address rising electricity costs, wildfire mitigation and climate funding. The package includes a blueprint for a regional Western electricity market and requires community air monitoring in select locations.
By Meris Lutz • Sept. 23, 2025 -
Brandon Bell via Getty Images
Residential electricity rates up 6.6% over last year
Local leaders call for relief as gas prices rise and AI demand strains grids.
By Emma Penrod • Sept. 19, 2025 -
Getty Images
Cities can lead the way on resilient cooling, report says
Local officials have the tools to expand access to affordable cooling while boosting grid resilience and economic development, according to the Federation of American Scientists.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 17, 2025 -
Getty Images
CenterPoint Energy courts Minnesota communities for networked geothermal pilot
The utility is hoping to prove to local governments that such decarbonization efforts can meet residents’ energy needs in a cold-weather climate.
By Brian Martucci • Sept. 16, 2025 -
Adobe Stock/ toa555
Sponsored by Energy Systems Group (ESG)4 ways smart meters can help manage water scarcity (and boost revenue, too)
Why smart meters are a game-changer for water conservation, revenue and resilience.
Sept. 15, 2025 -
Marilyn Humphries/Newscom
Deep DiveTrash piles up as cities are squeezed in Republic Services labor strike
Local governments face mounting service disruptions as the largest sanitation strike in decades drags on.
By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 5, 2025 -
Permission granted by Oldcastle Infrasctucture
Sponsored by Oldcastle InfrastructureBeneath the stadium lights: aging water systems threaten 2026 event preparations
Cities face a hidden challenge before 2026 games: Aging water systems threaten big event success.
By Keaton Clay • Sept. 2, 2025 -
Getty Images
This small Oregon city voted to stop adding fluoride to its drinking water. It’s part of a larger trend.
Sweet Home, Oregon, joins a growing number of states and cities in voting to end the practice that major dental organizations have recommended for 75 years.
By Ryan Kushner • Aug. 18, 2025 -
Permission granted by AirJoule Technologies
Texas city pioneers tech that uses waste heat to generate drinking water
AirJoule’s first U.S. field deployment will tap into a geothermal well to turn air into distilled water for the municipal supply.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Aug. 13, 2025 -
Mario Tama via Getty Images
EPA considers terminating $7B Solar For All program
If the Trump administration moves forward to claw back the funding, “we will see them in court,” said Kym Meyer, litigation director at the Southern Environmental Law Center.
By Diana DiGangi • Aug. 7, 2025 -
Michael Ciaglo via Getty Images
Xcel Energy ‘prepared to go to trial’ to fight Colorado fire liability
The company contends that it did not start the late 2021 Colorado blaze, which caused an estimated $2 billion in damages.
By Emma Penrod • Aug. 4, 2025 -
Joe Raedle via Getty Images
OpinionThe weather is changing. Here’s how utilities can adapt.
Climate READi, developed by energy providers, policymakers and government agencies, can help energy companies prioritize investments and adapt the evolving electric system to the climate of the future.
By Morgan Scott • Aug. 1, 2025 -
Permission granted by LA Sanitation
Cities and waste facility operators turn to AI for recycling education revamp
As recycling rates stagnate, cities are testing smarter ways to help residents sort waste — from tamales to chopsticks — right at the bin.
By Leslie Nemo • July 31, 2025
