Energy & Utilities

  • A row of white EV chargers with cables and plus stand against a blurry background of trees and a brick building.
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    VictorHuang via Getty Images

    Demand on the rise for electric vehicle charging at multifamily properties

    EV adoption will accelerate next year thanks to new tax credits and expanding options from automakers.

    By Mary Salmonsen • Sept. 22, 2022
  • Los Angeles's downtown skyline enveloped in smog.
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    David McNew via Getty Images

    California could phase out gas heaters by 2030 to cut smog

    The home and building appliances are “an underappreciated driver of unhealthy air quality in California cities,” non-profit advocates say in a report Tuesday, as state regulators consider only allowing zero-emissions alternatives.

    By • Sept. 20, 2022
  • Explore the Trendline➔
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
    Trendline

    Vehicle Electrification

    Cities and states are trying to harness the growing electric vehicle market to meet decarbonization goals while ensuring the rollout of these vehicles is being done equitably. Their efforts are aided by an influx of federal support.

    By Smart Cities Dive staff
  • Green Field
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    Permission granted by Schneider Electric
    Sponsored by Schneider Electric

    City-wide modernization plan creates a $100M+ economic impact

    How Sierra Vista, AZ created a sports tourism boom with sustainable infrastructure upgrades.

    Sept. 12, 2022
  • Several electric vehicles are parked in a garage under a sign that reads "Vehicle-to-grid (V2G"
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    Permission granted by Revel

    New York City’s first vehicle-to-grid charging installation is live in Brooklyn

    Project partners worked through engineering, regulatory and interconnection challenges to get the technology to market, Revel Chief Operating Officer Paul Suhey said.

    By • Sept. 9, 2022
  • Two vehicles parked in a garage, with an electric charging cable connceted to a white Nissan in the foreground.
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images

    Few states have comprehensive plans to integrate the expected surge in EVs: report

    With regulators having approved more than $3 billion in vehicle electrification programs, the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy calls for a more holistic planning approach.

    By Robert Walton • Sept. 7, 2022
  • Modern tower buildings or skyscrapers in financial district with cloud on sunny day in Chicago, USA.
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    ASKA via Getty Images

    Arup, startup are building smart city modeling tools to maximize energy efficiency

    With Matidor, the partners seek to help civil engineers see the environmental impact and energy efficiency of what they’re developing in real time.

    By • Sept. 2, 2022
  • A row of white EV chargers with cables and plus stand against a blurry background of trees and a brick building.
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    VictorHuang via Getty Images

    15 states should be prioritized for EV infrastructure, EV Council report suggests

    To support increased numbers of electric vehicles, large cities and rural states in the South and Midwest will be challenged to provide enough charging stations, according to a report this month.

    By • Aug. 29, 2022
  • Modern tower buildings or skyscrapers in financial district with cloud on sunny day in Chicago, USA.
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    ASKA via Getty Images

    Growing building sector carbon emissions threaten 2050 net-zero goal, report warns

    U.S. economywide greenhouse gas emissions fell 12% from 2005 to 2019, but direct emissions from the building sector were higher, according to an Information Technology and Innovation Foundation report this week.

    By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2022
  • Close-up of building with Department of Transportation lettered on yellow bricks.
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    sshepard via Getty Images

    State NEVI plans raise concerns about EV charging infrastructure rollout

    Grid capacity, plus Buy America and matching fund requirements, are among states’ worries about the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which aims to put charging stations every 50 miles along interstate highways.

    By • Aug. 23, 2022
  • A green and white electric car parked next to a charging station
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    Permission granted by MCE
    Sponsored by MCE

    The power of clean transportation in an equitable energy future

    Learn how MCE, a Bay Area clean electricity provider, is electrifying our transportation sector.

    Aug. 22, 2022
  • President Biden signs the Inflation Reduction Act surrounded by members of congress and backed by American flags in the White House.
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images

    How cities can prepare for the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate opportunities

    With billions of dollars for energy efficiency upgrades, urban park enhancements and more signed into law this week, experts share tips on how cities can start preparing for funding opportunities now.

    By • Aug. 19, 2022
  • A Pepco bucket truck in Washington, D.C.
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    Flickr

    District of Columbia regulators approve $92M energy efficiency program with focus on low- and moderate-income residents

    The three-year program is expected to result in almost 1% annual energy savings.

    By Robert Walton • Aug. 18, 2022
  • Empty parking stalls are equipped with electric vehicle chargers, under a canopy that contains solar panels.
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    Aranga87 via Getty Images

    Inflation Reduction Act concerns, shortfalls seen by EV, clean energy, environmental leaders

    Strict requirements for making EVs and content sourcing for critical minerals could challenge manufacturers, experts say, and climate progress depends on governments using funds from the climate and infrastructure laws wisely.

    By • Aug. 18, 2022
  • Buildings in downtown Boston at sunset.
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    Elijah-Lovkoff via Getty Images

    Boston aims to eliminate fossil fuels in new buildings

    The city’s chance to set new building standards comes from the climate bill the Massachusetts governor signed last week, which extends that opportunity to 10 municipalities in the state. 

    By • Aug. 17, 2022
  • The United States Capitol in February 2020
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    Megan Quinn/Smart Cities Dive

    Support for housing efficiency upgrades, urban parks, drought resilience poised to become law

    With the House sending the Inflation Reduction Act to the president’s desk, some climate leaders say the onus will shift to local governments to execute on key initiatives.

    By • Aug. 15, 2022
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    Tim Boyle via Getty Images

    Chicago commits to 100% renewable energy at city facilities by 2025

    The clean energy agreement “helps build the market” while encouraging smaller cities and municipalities “to make similar commitments,” said a senior attorney at the Environmental Law & Policy Center.

    By • Aug. 15, 2022
  • Gradient heat pump units showing on the exterior of a residential building.
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    Courtesy of Gradient
    Q&A

    New York public housing is poised for electric heating and cooling upgrades from a California startup

    Vince Romanin, the CEO of Gradient, discusses the market for heat pumps and a New York City Housing Authority contract to rethink HVAC for residents vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

    By • Aug. 10, 2022
  • People line up to enter a low building with a sign identifying it as a California Department of Motor Vehicles office. A white car is parked under an awning in front of the building.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images

    EV adoption might be hindered by DMV fees: report

    Some of the same states that incentivize EV purchases charge additional fees to EV owners, but they could restructure those fees to align with emissions goals, according to a July RMI report.

    By • Aug. 10, 2022
  • Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) gives the thumbs up as he leaves the Senate Chamber after passage of the Inflation Reduction Act at the U.S. Capitol August 7, 2022 in Washington, DC.
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    Drew Angerer/Getty Images via Getty Images

    Mayors and city leaders voice support for Inflation Reduction Act

    The bill, which passed the Senate on Sunday, represents the largest climate investment in U.S. history and has garnered support from cities seeking to lower greenhouse gas emissions and boost resilience.

    By • Aug. 9, 2022
  • Buildings in Bethesda, Maryland.
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    DenisTangneyJr via Getty Images

    Building performance standards momentum slowly grows in the wake of White House efforts

    A Maryland county’s policy represents one of the only major updates so far, but more localities have said they’ll pursue standards. Funds in the Inflation Reduction Act could provide new incentives to decarbonize buildings.

    By • Aug. 8, 2022
  • MCE staff unload portable batteries for distribution to customers.
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    Permission granted by MCE
    Sponsored by MCE

    MCE: The power of an equitable energy future

    Learn how MCE, a Bay Area clean electricity provider, is creating an equitable clean energy future.

    Aug. 8, 2022
  • An artist's rendering of a city streetscape. A high-tech car approaches a crosswalk as pedestrians pass by.
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    gremlin via Getty Images
    Opinion

    Together, EVs, AVs and multimodal transportation will create more vibrant cities

    Gas stations, subway stations, parking garages and roads are among the city features we can reimagine as new mobility technologies change how we get from point A to point B, writes a leading exec at Gensler.

    By Andy Cohen • Aug. 5, 2022
  • An engineer checks the installation of heat pump on a model house.
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    Leon Neal/Getty Images via Getty Images

    Electric heat pumps will be the cheapest clean option to heat most US homes by 2030: ACEEE

    To advance the transition to carbon-free heating, a report calls for additional research and development, incentives and grants to support installation, minimum efficiency standards for heating equipment, and other policies.

    By Robert Walton • July 28, 2022
  • Electric vehicles charging station on a background of a row of trucks. Concept
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    Scharfsinn86 via Getty Images

    National EV charging network needs private investment incentives, retailers say

    The federal government is preparing to disburse $5 billion to states for the development of a national electric vehicle charging network, but retailers say policies must change to incentivize private investment.

    By Robert Walton • July 27, 2022
  • Wildfire smoke lingers over the city of Portland, Oregon, in August 2021.
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    Nathan Howard via Getty Images

    To address its climate emergency, Portland, Oregon, lays out a 43-step plan

    Creating resilience hubs and replacing petroleum diesel at the pump are among the top actions city officials intend to pursue in the coming years after declaring a climate emergency in 2020. 

    By • July 26, 2022