Environment

Resilient Cities Catalyst to tackle California's compounding crises

The group, born out of the 100 Resilient Cities initiative, launched the public-philanthropic California Resilience Partnership to address challenges stemming from racial injustice, climate change and the pandemic.

By Cailin Crowe • Feb. 24, 2021

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

Residents' climate anecdotes to inform San Diego resilience plan

Following hazard vulnerability assessments, the city is nearing a resilience draft plan focused on wildfires, sea level rise, extreme heat and flooding.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 19, 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

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

Biden EPA pick promises 'clean slate' in examining GHG regulations

Michael Regan pledged Wednesday to work cooperatively with states and local communities, and said protecting the environment under his watch would not come "solely from regulation."

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 05, 2021

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

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.

Q&A

New SUMC CEO ponders mobility sector's 'moment of inflection'

Benjamin de la Peña, who recently became CEO of the Shared-Use Mobility Center, discussed pandemic-fueled mobility opportunities and his unfinished business as the Seattle DOT's former innovation chief.

By Cailin Crowe • Jan. 28, 2021

Biden orders aim to achieve 100% clean electricity by 2035

In total, the president signed three executive orders all aimed at placing the climate crisis at the center of his administration. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 28, 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

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

Biden taps Boston Mayor Walsh for labor secretary

Mayor Marty Walsh, who was recently named chair of Climate Mayors, will "usher in a new era of worker power," said the Biden-Harris Transition team.

By Katie Clarey • Jan. 08, 2021

Solar advocates call Massachusetts climate bill a 'roadmap' to decarbonization

The bill sets a statewide net-zero limit on greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, provides tax certainty for solar developers and codifies environmental justice provisions into Massachusetts law.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 07, 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.

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

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

California tops ACEEE energy efficiency scorecard

This is the first report since 2010 that Massachusetts has not held the No. 1 spot, falling to second as California "continued to set the pace in energy savings."

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 17, 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

Green buildings 'unheralded hero' in emissions fight, experts say

President-elect Joe Biden's plan to boost energy efficiency in the sector promises to create up to one million jobs and mitigate the effects of climate change, elected officials said during a U.S. Green Building Council webinar. 

By Chris Teale • Dec. 10, 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

Dive Awards

The Smart Cities Dive Awards for 2020

In a year where cities and local officials had to weather unprecedented crises, the following awardees stood out for their bold leadership.

By Smart Cities Dive Team • Dec. 09, 2020