Energy & Utilities
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Climate leaders go 'all in' to halve emissions by 2030
The new "America Is All In" coalition of U.S. communities, businesses and institutions, has pledged to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 with support from the federal government.
By Chris Teale • Feb. 22, 2021 -
Economic rebound could derail progress on Paris climate goals, experts warn
The U.S. power sector has exceeded previous emissions goals and will continue to do so, a new report says. Progress could be thwarted by rising emissions in the transportation sector.
By Emma Penrod • Feb. 18, 2021 -
Deep Dive
Power sector experts fight misinformation around Texas outages
Operators will often prepare for peak loads based on historical data, but those forecasts can be less predictable under a changing climate, one expert said.
By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 18, 2021 -
SonderBruce. (2017). "I-5 southbound traffic approaching Downtown Seattle" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
The system of GHG emissions reporting is broken, experts say
As the media points fingers at cities for underreporting carbon emissions, some argue the blame should instead be placed on a lack of guidance.
By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 11, 2021 -
Deep Dive
Lawmakers vs. regulators: The fight over Arizona's zero-emissions mandate
Conservatives say the Arizona Corporation Commission's proposed zero-carbon mandate oversteps its constitutional authority while defenders say the legal debate is an excuse to impede the state's climate fight.
By Herman K. Trabish • Feb. 11, 2021 -
Auto industry embraces Biden's electrification efforts
The Alliance for Automotive Innovation said it will work with the administration on an electrification program to bring all automakers "under a unified set of common requirements."
By Robert Walton • Feb. 10, 2021 -
Security flaws enabled Tampa-area water utility hack
Authorities found poor security hygiene — weak passwords and an outdated operating system — played a role in the hack.
By Samantha Schwartz • UPDATED: Feb. 12, 2021 at 10:05 a.m. -
US could derail decarbonization without equitable policies: report
Decarbonization is technically and financially feasible, but government must ensure the coming economic transition is just and fair to all, experts said.
By Emma Penrod • Feb. 04, 2021 -
As GM gives 'huge' boost to EVs, states vary in advancing supportive policies
Washington lawmakers are considering legislation to ban the sale of internal combustion light duty vehicles by 2030, and others are setting 2035 goals.
By Robert Walton • Feb. 03, 2021 -
Seattle mayor approves updated energy code
Mayor Jenny Durkan signed the updates into law, dubbing the city's building energy code as "among the strongest in the nation."
By Kristin Musulin • UPDATED: Feb. 12, 2021 at 9:51 a.m. -
Barton, Ben. (2017). "Downtown Houston" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Houston, Uber and BP partner to aid EV transition for drivers
The trio will explore the deployment of BP's rapid charging electric vehicle (EV) stations throughout Houston, aiming to support the city's EV adoption goals and plans for an equitable charging network.
By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 02, 2021 -
Boston kicks off community choice electricity program, aiming to surpass state's renewables requirement
Starting Monday, the Massachusetts capital becomes a key East Coast adopter of a locally-driven utility model championed in major California and Ohio cities — its latest effort toward achieving carbon neutrality by 2050.
By Maria Rachal • UPDATED: Feb. 2, 2021 at 2:44 p.m. -
Fleet electrification can have 'outsized influence' on EV adoption: RMI
Electrification will require a fundamental business restructuring, but if executed poorly "can be a series of very costly errors," according to a new report from Rocky Mountain Institute.
By Robert Walton • Jan. 25, 2021 -
Biden's Day One actions signal hope for climate, energy sectors
President Joe Biden marked his first day in office by taking steps to rejoin the Paris climate accord, along with signing a flurry of executive orders.
By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 21, 2021 -
Q&A
Honolulu's resilience officer outlines path to carbon neutrality
Chief Resilience Officer Matthew Gonser discussed Honolulu's first Climate Action Plan and the creative way local leaders tackled tough climate conversations with local residents.
By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 21, 2021 -
(2016). "Des Moines, Iowa". Retrieved from Pixabay.
Following Google's footsteps, Des Moines pledges 24/7 clean electricity by 2035
The city's resolution may make Des Moines one of the first U.S. communities to achieve 24/7 carbon-free electricity.
By Emma Penrod • Jan. 15, 2021 -
Biden advisor: US 'lost critical time' in climate change fight
National Economic Council Director-Designate Brian Deese said reentering the Paris agreement will be a top priority of Biden's administration, but more must be done to curb emissions.
By Chris Teale • Jan. 13, 2021 -
7 mobility startups to watch in 2021
These startups offer compelling solutions to the range of challenges the pandemic has introduced to U.S. cities.
By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 05, 2021 -
The smart city news that shaped 2020
Smart Cities Dive identified 20 stories detailing the prevalent and groundbreaking trends that influenced a year like no other.
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Clean energy groups applaud pick of former Michigan Gov. Granholm for DOE head
Granholm is known for staunchly supporting the automotive industry — which observers say could be an asset as the new administration attempts to boost the adoption of electric vehicles.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 18, 2020 -
Opinion
5 ways smart infrastructure shapes communities for the better
From improved transportation to data-driven decisions, smart cities are using technology to raise the bar for the world of tomorrow.
By Forrest Senti • Dec. 18, 2020 -
The image by Gage Skidmore is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
Biden taps North Carolina DEQ Secretary Regan for EPA
Under Michael Regan's watch at the DEQ, Duke Energy agreed to the largest coal ash cleanup in U.S. history.
By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 18, 2020 -
EV models expected to triple in 4 years as declining battery costs boost adoption
Electric vehicles are approaching cost parity with traditional gas-powered vehicles, but experts disagree on how much more battery prices must drop.
By Robert Walton • Dec. 16, 2020 -
Smart Columbus pushes ahead on corporate decarbonization
The Smart Columbus Energy program is designed to help Central Ohio's corporate and industrial organizations transition to clean energy through wind and solar energy procurement.
By Chris Teale • Dec. 11, 2020 -
Cities play 'key role' in green COVID-19 recovery: report
The Rocky Mountain Institute and Bloomberg Philanthropies found local infrastructure projects and strong federal partners are significant in building a more resilient future.
By Chris Teale • Dec. 09, 2020