Environment
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'We are simply not ready' for EV charging at scale, House Republicans say, warning of China dependence
During a hearing Wednesday on major clean-transportation legislation — part of the Biden administration's $174 billion proposal to bolster electric vehicles — Republicans said the plan strips away consumer choice.
By Robert Walton • May 07, 2021 -
Drew Angerer via Getty Images
DC traffic deaths climb as Vision Zero funding remains in limbo
Traffic-related fatalities in the nation's capital are well above the number seen by this date last year. Meanwhile, funding allocations for a new law to bring fatalities to zero by 2024 are still undetermined.
By Maria Rachal • UPDATED: April 30, 2021 at 9:27 a.m. -
Graeme Robertson via Getty Images
Just transition needed in transit electrification, labor leaders say
Transit worker representatives said agencies and the federal government should provide training and give workers a voice, otherwise major job losses could follow.
By Chris Teale • April 27, 2021 -
Pittsburgh pursues sustainable deconstruction policy to salvage building materials
Following similar steps in Portland, Oregon, and Milwaukee, Pittsburgh is betting that recovering materials from condemned buildings instead of demolishing them will support the city's climate and equity goals.
By Maria Rachal • April 26, 2021 -
Courtesy of Verizon
Verizon-backed accelerator taps emerging tech to support climate justice
A new initiative aims to use 5G, big data and AI to help vulnerable communities build resiliency against the worst impacts of climate change.
By Chris Teale • April 26, 2021 -
Screenshot via Greentown Labs Houston
Cleantech incubator part of Houston's goal to be 'energy transition capital'
One year after the city unveiled its Climate Action Plan, the incubator said it has 30 startups ready to move into its 40,000-square-foot Greentown Labs space.
By Chris Teale • April 23, 2021 -
Drew Angerer via Getty Images
New York to revive curbside composting as city lags on zero waste goal
Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Earth Day the city is reviving multiple programs cut during the pandemic. But the city is not yet taking the steps many elected officials and advocates believe are necessary to achieve a key 2030 target.
By Cole Rosengren • April 22, 2021 -
Retrieved from The White House/YouTube on January 29, 2021
Biden pledges to halve US carbon emissions by 2030
The United States will work to cut greenhouse gas emissions 50-52% by 2030, relative to 2005 levels, sending clear signals to business and world leaders.
By Robert Walton • April 22, 2021 -
Courtesy of Spin
Spin begins electrifying operations, eyeing carbon neutrality
The Ford-owned micromobility company said it will start using electric vans in its two largest markets, having achieved carbon neutrality in 2020 by using carbon offsets and supporting environmental projects.
By Chris Teale • April 21, 2021 -
Courtesy of GE Renewable Energy
Clean energy jobs 'hit hard' by COVID-19 in 2020: report
Research from Environment Entrepreneurs found the sector shed 307,000 jobs but rebounded in the second half of the year — and could be set for major recovery in 2021.
By Chris Teale • April 20, 2021 -
Advocates call for $650M in federal funds to curb food waste in states, cities
Atlanta, Baltimore, Philadelphia and Madison, WI are among the groups calling for annual investments through at least 2030 for food waste diversion infrastructure and other strategies.
By Maria Rachal • April 08, 2021 -
Opinion
US building codes need a major retrofit to meet climate goals and spare consumers
The International Code Council, which recently rolled back local governments' say in energy efficiency regulations for buildings, needs to adapt to the times or step aside, writes Energy Innovation's Sara Baldwin.
By Sara Baldwin • April 07, 2021 -
Permission granted by First Solar
Local governments set record for new renewable energy procurement in 2020, groups report
Transactions last year grew renewable capacity 23% from 2019's totals, according to World Resources Institute and Rocky Mountain Institute data.
By Chris Teale • April 05, 2021 -
Retrieved from Twitter.
How the American Jobs Plan aims to shape 4 pillars of city infrastructure
The administration's package looks to inject billions of dollars into the country's digital infrastructure, water, transportation and housing needs, with emphasis on racial equity and climate resilience.
By Smart Cities Dive Team • April 01, 2021 -
Retrieved from U.S. Department of Agriculture.
LA, Philadelphia and DC compost leaders look to better leverage city park sites
As municipally supported composting grows in some parts of the country, panelists at a U.S. Composting Council event discussed solutions to common roadblocks in using parklands for such programs.
By Maria Rachal • March 31, 2021 -
Few mayors expect to keep COVID-inspired changes to public spaces, survey finds
The Menino Survey of Mayors found that although leaders predict residents will spend more time outside, only 6% of mayors plan to keep recent changes to those spaces like closed roads and new bike lanes.
By Chris Teale • March 31, 2021 -
Permission granted by Fermata Energy
New coalition calls on Biden admin to prioritize electrified transportation
CHARGE, a group of 37 organizations, is urging EV charging infrastructure be especially deployed in communities traditionally underserved by transportation or that have struggled with pollution burdens.
By Chris Teale • March 25, 2021 -
"Jogger Crosses Empty New York City Street During COVID19 Quarantine" by Anthony Quintano is licensed under CC BY 2.0
Roundup: What driver and pedestrian behavior looked like in 2020
The pandemic year saw fewer drivers on the road, reducing congestion. But motorists traveled at higher average speeds, and vehicle-related and pedestrian fatalities soared, according to reports.
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Permission granted by Gehl
Community-led design of public spaces could have 'ripple effect' in COVID recovery: report
Analysis of public spaces in Detroit; Philadelphia; San Jose, CA; and Akron, OH by the Knight Foundation and design firm Gehl found successful and resilient programming could have long-term effects after the pandemic.
By Chris Teale • March 24, 2021 -
Record wildfires upend lockdown-driven air quality gains
The United States was home to 77 of the world's 100 most polluted cities at one point last year, even as some parts of the world reaped the benefits of lower motor vehicle emissions amid the pandemic.
By Maria Rachal • March 18, 2021 -
Retrieved from Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.
DOE to spend billions on electric vehicle R&D in jobs fight with China
President Biden's administration is tackling transportation electrification in part to prevent China from cornering a $23 trillion market in carbon-reducing tech, according to Secretary of Energy Jennifer Granholm.
By Robert Walton • March 11, 2021 -
Pittsburgh applies equity lens amid push to plant 100K trees
The "Equitable Street Tree Investment Strategy" aims to improve tree maintenance in low-income and Black neighborhoods, as the city also works to increase its canopy to 60% by 2030.
By Maria Rachal • March 08, 2021 -
Permission granted by Courtesy of JBG SMITH
Q&ANational Landing BID head explains 'most connected downtown' design
President and Executive Director Tracy Sayegh Gabriel said the Northern Virginia area, which is undergoing major transformations ahead of the arrival of Amazon's HQ2, has embraced people-centric and sustainable growth.
By Cailin Crowe • March 05, 2021 -
McDonald, Chad. (2016). "Up Up and away" [Photograph]. Retrieved from Flickr.
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 -
Screenshot via America Is All In
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
