Workforce issues put new demands on municipal water management

Water systems are aging and leaking as water experts are retiring. Can tech save our most vital resource?

By Chris Cummings • July 14, 2025

Summer power bills are going up, federal government warns

Consumers will see a “slight increase” in power bills this summer, the U.S. Energy Information Administration said Monday. But that analysis is based on expectations for cooler weather.

By Robert Walton • June 25, 2025

NYC power bills going up this summer, ConEd warns

The increases come amid a national rise in electricity prices and rapidly growing demand. Consolidated Edison has spent about $2.35 billion on its distribution system since last summer.

By Robert Walton • May 29, 2025

Making energy affordable again: The role of cities, states and utilities in enhancing the energy safety net

Even as the U.S. pursues an energy agenda centered on achieving affordability through abundance, utilities and local governments have tools to help families navigate energy insecurities.

By Diana Hernández and Vivek Shastry • May 28, 2025

CenterPoint completes critical Houston grid upgrades ahead of hurricane season

The utility has bolstered its power grid and communications systems since Hurricane Beryl left almost 2.3 million Houston-areas customers without power last summer.

By Robert Walton • May 27, 2025

Republican budget squeezes out of House committee, but deeper IRA cuts could come

Deficit hawks voted to advance the legislation for now but said they negotiated for more cuts to clean energy incentives.

By Diana DiGangi • May 20, 2025

Thermal energy networks need municipal participation: report

Cities and other entities can develop neighborhood-scale thermal networks to lower greenhouse gas emissions, clean energy consultants say.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 16, 2025

Policy, tax uncertainty holding back US clean energy development

Clean energy policy experts gathered at DC Climate Week said the current uncertainty around the U.S. tax and tariff environment is inhibiting the market.

By Lamar Johnson • May 12, 2025

Report ranks states’ efforts to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning

UL Standards & Engagement officials recommend cities and states mandate indoor carbon monoxide alarms, conduct public awareness campaigns and train first responders.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • May 8, 2025

Trump administration plans to end popular Energy Star program

The program has helped consumers save more than $500 billion in energy costs and 5 trillion kWh since it launched in 1992 under President George H.W. Bush.

By Robert Walton • May 8, 2025

New York expands EV purchase, charging equipment incentives

New York is making $30 million available to assist with the lease or purchase of new electric vehicles. The state is also expanding efforts to reduce equipment installation costs for Level 2 chargers.

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2025

Brockton, Mass., leverages energy savings contract to preserve, improve two historic buildings

New window, lighting and HVAC systems aim to reduce energy and improve air quality, including in one building that has been unusable in extreme weather. 

By Joe Burns • April 14, 2025

Denver adds flexibility to building performance guidelines

Following public input, including some backlash from building owners, the new rules will push back compliance deadlines, remove electrification report requirements and reduce penalty rates, the city said. 

By Joe Burns • April 9, 2025

Housing, utilities, food among top US needs in 2024: United Way survey

“At a moment when individuals and communities need more support, but national and local resources are uncertain,” the survey results can help identify cross-sector solutions, United Way Worldwide CEO Angela Williams said.

By Ryan Kushner • April 2, 2025

America’s aging water infrastructure faces new threats

The U.S. urgently needs to increase funding to shore up facilities, experts say, as climate change and emerging contaminants like PFAS pose growing threats.

By Julie Strupp • April 1, 2025

DOE withdraws, postpones multiple appliance energy efficiency rules

“We are returning freedom of choice to the American people,” Secretary of Energy Chris Wright said in a statement. Appliance efficiency advocates warn the agency is in “uncharted territory.”

By Robert Walton • March 26, 2025

US infrastructure gets a C, its highest grade ever, in ASCE report card

Infrastructure needs long-term, continuous investment to maintain and continue to improve, however, the civil engineering group said. 

By Michelle M. Havich • March 26, 2025

Madison, Wisconsin, benchmarking program to phase in smaller buildings

Continuous benchmarking and system tune-ups can help owners and operators reduce annual energy use and provide cities with necessary information for setting performance targets, experts say.

By Joe Burns • March 18, 2025

New York state offers $5M for existing building energy innovations

Providers that have already received federal, state, local or other incentive funds can receive up to $1 million to accelerate development of their energy efficiency solutions, the state energy research authority says.

By Joe Burns • March 18, 2025

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.

By Dan Zukowski • March 14, 2025

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.

By Jacob Wallace • March 13, 2025

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.

By David Weisenfeld • March 7, 2025

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.”

By Robert Walton • March 6, 2025

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.

By Brian Martucci • March 5, 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.

By Diana DiGangi • March 4, 2025