Equity
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You’ve heard of the Peace Corps? Meet the Economic Recovery Corps.
The first 65 fellows are bringing planning, development, entrepreneurship, public administration and other relevant experience to projects in U.S. host communities.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 17, 2024 -
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5 ways cities can accelerate EV charger deployments equitably
Seek community input, learn from other cities, reduce regulatory barriers and other ideas from participants in the DOE’s Clean Energy to Communities Program.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 12, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
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TrendlineTop 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive
From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them in 2024.
By Smart Cities Dive staff -
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Biden has proposed ‘the boldest housing plan in a generation,’ his economic advisor says
The plan would expand tax credits for affordable housing developers, a proven way to boost supply, National Economic Advisor Lael Brainard said.
By Kalena Thomhave • April 10, 2024 -
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These 8 nonprofits got $20B from the Biden administration for local clean energy financing. Now what?
The “green bank” funds must be obligated by September 2024 amid efforts by Republican lawmakers to repeal the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
By Ysabelle Kempe • April 5, 2024 -
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Federal affordable housing financing program gets extended
The White House expects the move to generate 38,000 rental units over the next 10 years.
By Danielle McLean • April 1, 2024 -
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Housing subsidy for community college students launches in Maryland county
“Stable and affordable housing is a significant determinant of academic success and economic mobility,” Howard County Executive Calvin Ball said in support of the effort.
By Danielle McLean • March 28, 2024 -
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Phoenix passes worker heat safety ordinance amid rising deaths
The measure is the result of labor demands and record high temperatures in the city in 2023.
By Ginger Christ • March 28, 2024 -
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What’s stifling city climate action? Municipal finance practices, one report says
The Boston University researchers highlight how city funding approaches make emissions reduction projects easier to move forward than climate adaptation projects.
By Ysabelle Kempe • March 27, 2024 -
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OpinionLocal government climate coalitions are delivering state policy results
Environmental justice legislation in Colorado and energy efficiency and renewable energy programs in Wisconsin are two recent coalition accomplishments.
By Lindsay Ex and Erick Shambarger • March 26, 2024 -
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To chart its path away from gas, Massachusetts launches energy transformation office
Headed by a former utility executive, the office will convene a task force with representatives from utilities, municipalities, business, labor and the supply chain industry.
By Ysabelle Kempe • March 25, 2024 -
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Minimum-wage delivery drivers must be 100% reimbursed for using their own vehicles, 6th Cir. says
Given the pandemic-led explosion of delivery services over the past few years, the reimbursement issue is likely a concern for many businesses.
By Laurel Kalser • March 21, 2024 -
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Communities hoping to build disaster resilience request record $8B in FEMA grants
The requested amount is more than quadruple the amount the agency is offering, continuing what FEMA said is an ongoing trend of applications exceeding available funds.
By Ysabelle Kempe • March 21, 2024 -
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Recycling brings environmental justice communities opportunities — and potential costs
As local groups strive for federal grants, efforts to recycle solar panels and EV batteries could exacerbate problems in already overburdened communities, National Recycling Congress participants said.
By Megan Quinn • March 15, 2024 -
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Chicago’s novel idea for paying off affordable housing, development bond
The city plans to cut back a program that critics said kept property tax revenue in wealthier neighborhoods and diverted it from public services.
By Danielle McLean • March 8, 2024 -
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Study on delivery worker conditions, pay mandated in DC
The study could be the first legislative step toward a citywide effort to regulate the pay and conditions of delivery drivers.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 8, 2024 -
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NYC subways get National Guard, state police patrols after high-profile assaults
While New York City Mayor Eric Adams and transit workers applaud the move, others express concerns about racial profiling.
By Dan Zukowski • March 7, 2024 -
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DoorDash shifts pay scheme, cuts flexibility for New York City workers
DoorDash says its fees in the Big Apple have driven down delivery sales, but the city says data from delivery firms shows otherwise.
By Aneurin Canham-Clyne • March 6, 2024 -
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As the Affordable Connectivity Program sunsets, what’s next for low-income students?
With the responsibility to keep students connected at home shifting to school district leaders, experts say partnerships with state and local governments and plans for other Federal Communications Commission initiatives are key.
By Anna Merod • March 6, 2024 -
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States must assess road safety for pedestrians, cyclists under FHWA proposed rule change
The Federal Highway Administration wants to update regulations for the Highway Safety Improvement Program to align with federal equity and safety priorities.
By Dan Zukowski • March 6, 2024 -
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Iowa bill seeks to bring grocery options to underserved communities
Introduced by a state representative who formerly owned a food store, the proposed legislation would provide grants of $50,000 to $500,000 to grocers with up to 10 locations.
By Catherine Douglas Moran • March 4, 2024 -
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‘We are behind’: On composting, NYC’s new sanitation chair pushes for funding, transparency
Budget cuts to New York City’s community composting program are “unacceptable,” Council Member Shaun Abreu said at the first Sanitation and Solid Waste Management Committee hearing of the year.
By Jacob Wallace • March 1, 2024 -
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Newark, New Jersey, sells residents $1 homes to fend off corporate property buyers
The city hopes the $1-home lottery will shore up local homeownership and combat neighborhood blight. It’s not the first community to try the strategy, and it likely won’t be the last.
By Gaby Galvin • March 1, 2024 -
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NYC defines ‘green economy,’ projects job growth in new action plan
The 124-page plan released yesterday is the city’s latest signal that it is hungry to be at the center of climate change-related business and workforce growth.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 29, 2024 -
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Pedestrian deaths declined modestly in first half of 2023: GHSA
“A decrease in pedestrian fatalities is welcome news,” said the Governors Highway Safety Association's Adam Snider, but the numbers are still far above pre-pandemic levels.
By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 27, 2024 -
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Climate risk planning portal from Argonne National Lab gets new features
The portal uses one of the world's largest supercomputers to model climate change hazards. Now, communities can use it to predict impacts on vulnerable populations and infrastructure.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Feb. 26, 2024
