Environment
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Denver voters to decide on sales tax for GHG reduction projects
The 0.25% sales tax increase would bring in an estimated $36 million to support initiatives recommended by the Denver Climate Action Task Force.
By Jason Plautz • Aug. 05, 2020 -
Verch, Marco. (2017). "Drohnenfoto: The Field Museum, Soldier Field und Hochhäuser im Bezirk Burnham Place" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Chicago unveils citywide air quality reform agenda
The agenda, which comes after a report found pollution disproportionately impacts disadvantaged communities, includes changes to zoning codes and increased enforcement.
By Chris Teale • July 28, 2020 -
Opinion
The case for C-suite engagement on climate risk
Climate change is recognized as a potential threat to the bottom line. Your company's response to it could be a strategic driver of value.
By Peter Schultz, Brad Hurley and Andrew Eil • July 23, 2020 -
Permission granted by Pittsburgh International Airport
Construction begins on Pittsburgh International Airport microgrid
The microgrid will completely power PIT by next summer, marking a first-of-its-kind initiative among major U.S. airports.
By Chris Teale • July 23, 2020 -
Permission granted by Practice for Architecture and Urbanism
Architecture firm reimagines NYC without cars
The Practice for Architecture and Urbanism unveiled a proposal for Manhattan to re-purpose its roadways, which make up 30% of the borough.
By Cailin Crowe • July 22, 2020 -
The image by jparise is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0
High-income homes responsible for 25% more GHG: study
The carbon footprint of wealthy neighborhoods can be up to 15 times higher than lower-income areas, according to a new University of Michigan study.
By Jason Plautz • July 21, 2020 -
Biden outlines $2T plan to invest in renewables, electrification
Joe Biden said now is an "incredible opportunity" to recover from COVID-19 in a way that tackles climate change and creates jobs.
By Emma Penrod • July 15, 2020 -
Supermac1961 from CHAFFORD HUNDRED, England / CC BY (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0). (2009). "Peterbilt truck" [photograph]. Retrieved from Wikimedia Commons.
15 states, DC collaborate on 100% electric truck sales by 2050
A memorandum of understanding gives states the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of the California Air Resources Board's electric-truck sales rule.
By S.L. Fuller • July 14, 2020 -
Yujin Kim/Smart Cities Dive
Deep DiveAlgal blooms to data boons: How 'smart lakes' improve water quality
New York's Lake George and Ohio's Lake Erie are among those to deploy sensors and IoT tech in an effort to monitor pollution, toxins and weather.
By Chris Teale • July 13, 2020 -
Thompson, Jeremy. (2019). "Boston" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Boston residents of color more likely to live by high-polluting roads
Fifty-four percent of Latino residents, 45% of Black residents and 47% of Asian residents live in high-polluted areas, exacerbating health issues that can increase COVID-19 vulnerability.
By Cailin Crowe • July 10, 2020 -
House Dems propose net-zero emissions by 2050
The climate proposal urges building, transportation and industrial electrification, and notably does not call for an end to natural gas fracking.
By Catherine Morehouse • July 01, 2020 -
Opinion
3 ways smart cities can improve air quality
With urbanites expressing a renewed interest in air quality improvement amid the coronavirus, cities may find themselves in need of better data to base policy decisions.
By Grant Samms • June 25, 2020 -
10 examples of building performance standards: ACEEE
A white paper from the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy calls on jurisdictions globally to explore mandatory building performance standards to effectively meet long-term climate goals.
By Kristin Musulin • June 23, 2020 -
Getty Images
Opinion5 focal points needed to develop a smart city
Given the pace at which new technology is overtaking social infrastructure, cities must "up their game" with a greater sense of focus and urgency.
By Clint Vince and Jennifer Morrissey • June 18, 2020 -
Retrieved from Lyft on June 17, 2020
Lyft pledges all-EV fleet by 2030
The ride-hailing company said it would work with drivers to transition their cars to electric vehicles, a move it called a "radical shift in strategy."
By Chris Teale • June 18, 2020 -
Retrieved from Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator on June 16, 2020
Santa Monica, CA to pilot zero emissions delivery zone
Local leaders said the pilot program in the city's downtown commercial core will help them achieve ambitious emissions goals by 2028.
By Chris Teale • June 17, 2020 -
Wikipedia
Cleantech incubator Greentown Labs expands to Houston
The incubator will offer testing space to early stage, climate-focused companies in an effort to make Houston the "energy transition capital of the world."
By Chris Teale • June 17, 2020 -
Andrew. (2011). "Los Angeles" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
California crafts pilot program to reduce building emissions
The Building Initiative for Low-Emissions Development program will be rolled out in the second quarter of 2021, with the first two years of incentives reserved for developers of low-income residential housing.
By Kavya Balaraman • June 16, 2020 -
Szekely, Pedro. (2017). "Chicago skyline" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
Chicago sustainability officer to marry racial equity, climate goals
Mayor Lori Lightfoot appointed Angela Tovar to help the city reach its 2025 climate goals through the prioritization of racial equity, environmental justice and economic inclusivity.
By Cailin Crowe • June 15, 2020 -
Turner, Jeff. (2018). "Los Angeles Traffic" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
10% drop in cities' VMT could reap major climate benefits: report
COVID-19 presents a "window of opportunity" for cities to mitigate transportation's impact on climate, StreetLight Data's Martin Morzynski said. A small reduction in VMT is one place to start.
By Chris Teale • June 11, 2020 -
Wikimedia Commons
Bank of America issues $250K tree-planting grant to 4 cities
The funding will support green infrastructure projects across low- and moderate-income neighborhoods in St. Louis; Durham, NC; Cleveland; and Nashville, TN.
By Chris Teale • June 10, 2020 -
Getty Images
Trump orders federal agencies to waive environmental regulations
The order does away with agencies' responsibility to abide by regulations established under laws like the National Environmental Policy Act and the Clean Water Act to speed up public works projects that will create jobs.
By Kim Slowey • June 09, 2020 -
Brittney Butler Unsplash
OpinionMissouri cities shine on the national climate action stage
While coastal cities typically drive climate action, Kansas City and St. Louis are demonstrating what Heartland cities are capable of in the fight against climate change.
By Ashok Gupta • June 08, 2020 -
Water associations urge EPA to expedite PFAS regulation
The National Groundwater Association and eight other water groups sent a letter to the EPA with recommendations to efficiently regulate contaminants, including PFOA and PFOS.
By Kristin Musulin • June 05, 2020 -
Groups urge $22B in federal clean energy investment as sector job losses top 600K
In a letter to Congressional leaders, dozens of companies and advocacy groups proposed $22 billion in spending over five years to improve the safety, energy efficiency and resilience of critical public facilities.
By Robert Walton • June 03, 2020
