Energy & Utilities

Solar 'growing rapidly' in US cities: report

Fifty cities have more than doubled their total installed solar photovoltaic capacity since 2013, according to a new report by Environment America.

By Chris Teale • May 28, 2020

Opinion

How voice apps can support utility customers amid COVID-19

Voice apps offer a unique platform for consumer engagement by meeting customers where they are now — and where they're likely to remain for the foreseeable future.

By Laura Frantz • May 28, 2020

Powering EVs is cheaper than diesel, gas in most metro hubs

A report found powering electric vehicles could save fleet operators costs in 21 of the largest 25 U.S. cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle.

By Guy Burdick • May 28, 2020

Columbus, OH exceeds EV adoption goal

Local residents have purchased more than 3,300 electric vehicles over the past three years as part of its $10 million Paul G. Allen Family Foundation grant. 

By Cailin Crowe • May 27, 2020

Water utilities face an uphill climb out of the deep end

Many water utilities have found themselves supplying a public necessity to customers with empty pockets. Leaders are now calling for increased infrastructure investments to support a revenue rebound.

By Chris Teale • May 26, 2020

Deep Dive

The 'new normal': City sectors confront post-coronavirus realities

With costs of the pandemic coming into focus as recovery efforts persist, Smart Cities Dive analyzed how leaders across various departments can use lessons from the COVID-19 crisis to rebuild.

By Chris Teale • May 26, 2020

Blockchain-based renewables project in Los Angeles wins $9M state grant

An initiative in the San Gabriel Valley looks to provide affordable, locally produced energy to 28,000 residents in a disadvantaged community.

By Chris Teale • May 19, 2020

Pueblo, CO voters reject leaving IOU for municipal utility

Mayor Nick Gradisar had said forming a city-owned utility would help the city lower rates and reach its 100% renewable energy by 2035 goal.

By Catherine Morehouse • UPDATED: May 6, 2020 at 10:26 a.m.

Cities 'finally waking up' to the benefits of smart streetlights: survey

The Northeast Group found 59% of the largest U.S. cities are actively converting to LED streetlights, which could help lead to an $8.2 billion investment in smart street lighting over the next decade.

By Chris Teale • May 04, 2020

Global GHG emissions could fall 8% in 2020 amid pandemic: IEA

Coronavirus has reduced emissions and energy demand, but a recovery without clean investments could jeopardize those gains, the group said.

By Chris Teale • May 01, 2020

Chicago requires new building construction include EV charging capabilities

Advocates say the new ordinance makes the city a national leader in efforts to increase the adoption of emissions-free vehicles.

By Robert Walton • April 28, 2020

Enviro group launches OneNYC climate tracker

Urgency behind reaching the plan's targets is increasing as a majority of city leaders, including the mayor, are term-limited come 2021.

By Kristin Musulin • April 27, 2020

Transportation Electrification Partnership proposes $150B federal stimulus package

The proposal calls for investments in zero emission infrastructure, EV adoption, workforce development and other areas to build climate resilience amid COVID-19.

By Cailin Crowe • April 27, 2020

Utilities forced to adjust pre-pandemic emergency plans

Consolidated Edison and other U.S. utilities had developed pandemic operating plans years ago, but officials say flexibility is key to their response.

By Robert Walton • April 23, 2020

Opinion

New (im)mobility: Can we avoid the private car revenge?

Mobility operators and public leaders must anticipate a post-pandemic shift to single-occupancy vehicle use, and act before urban transportation locks us down again.

By Joël Hazan, Pierre-François Marteau, Benjamin Fassenot • April 22, 2020

Chicago uses anonymized cellphone data to show progress of COVID-19 measures

The city’s public health department is working with BlueDot to gather the location information from thousands of apps on resident phones. 

By Cailin Crowe • April 17, 2020

Clean energy unemployment reaches 17.8%

A new analysis of unemployment data shows more than 447,000 clean energy workers filed unemployment claims in April.

By Kristin Musulin • April 16, 2020

'Living wall' in Dallas to capture 1,600 pounds of CO2 annually

The wall, made up of over 40,000 plants, will have internet of things (IoT) sensors to monitor plant health and panels to distribute water and nutrients.

By Chris Teale • April 16, 2020

Opinion

There may be sewage in your city's drinking water

Far too many water sources are contaminated with sewage from faulty septic systems. But actions taken today can ensure safer water quality tomorrow.

By Chris Shaffner • April 14, 2020

Energy efficiency efforts seeing 'acute pain' on the residential side due to COVID-19

The sector employs at least 2.4 million people and those jobs are at risk given the disruptions from social distancing protocols, experts say.

By Robert Walton • April 07, 2020

Ann Arbor, MI City Council rejects $1B climate plan

Some council members found the plan to include concerning costs, while others argued the plan was put together in haste.

By Chris Teale • UPDATED: April 22, 2020 at 11:25 a.m.

Q&A

The CARES Act won't support cleantech, but cities still can

Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator CEO Matt Petersen is urging cities to align priorities around COVID-19 mitigation and climate action while the federal government sleeps on funding.

By Kristin Musulin • April 03, 2020

Deep Dive

No wipes in the pipes: Coronavirus cleaning leads to spike in sewer clogs

The use of disinfectant wipes is spiking as residents try to protect themselves from COVID-19. The result: clogged municipal wastewater systems and costly repairs. 

By Katie Pyzyk • April 01, 2020

Deep Dive

COVID-19 may sport the thinnest silver lining: a cleaner climate

There is evidence of declining carbon emissions and improved air quality as societies lock down. Experts say potential stimulus funding could present an opportunity to perpetuate these changes.

By Chris Teale • March 19, 2020

Opinion

Will solar work for low-income communities?

Solar for low- and moderate-income customers should either provide guaranteed savings or allow customers to easily withdraw from the contract at any time, the author writes.

By Warren Leon • March 06, 2020