Bucking Trump, US cities press ahead on clean energy, climate goals

More than two dozen cities now have renewable energy commitments, putting them on the front lines of climate action in the Trump era. 

By Jackie Snow • May 4, 2017

OR tiny house bill moves to state Senate

Lawmakers cited the housing shortage as a primary motivator for the building code change, which applies to prefab and site-built homes of less than 400 square feet.  

By Katy Tomasulo • May 4, 2017

US mayors urge cities to transition to renewable energy sources

The new Mayors for 100% Clean Energy national initiative encourages municipalities to make the pledge ahead of the U.S. Conference of Mayors in June.

By Mary Tyler March • May 3, 2017

Trump tax plan leaves infrastructure out

Some lawmakers were expecting President Donald Trump to earmark tax revenue from the repatriation of corporate earnings for infrastructure spending.

By Kim Slowey • April 28, 2017

Thousands of businesses, groups lobby for defense of EPA Energy Star program

Organized by the Alliance to Save Energy, the groups argue the voluntary efficiency program is among the most successful public-private partnerships in U.S. history.

By Robert Walton • April 27, 2017

Chicago’s Englewood neighborhood bears the brunt of Norfolk Southern’s expansion

A tight, highly congested rail passenger vehicle route highlights an outdated infrastructure and the rift between railroad interests and those of their home-owning neighbors.

By Jennifer McKevitt • April 27, 2017

Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit among winners of Knight Foundation smart city grants

Six cities won $200,000 grants last week to develop strategic smart city plans and improve access to municipal data. 

By Jackie Snow • April 26, 2017

New autonomous vehicle guide helps cities prepare for a driverless future

The National League of Cities says planners should start planning infrastructure upgrades for AVs today, regardless of where they are in trials and testing.

By Jackie Snow • April 25, 2017

Missouri utility regulators say they do not have jurisdiction over EV chargers

The decision could mean less investment by utilities in electric vehicle infrastructure, advocates say. 

By Robert Walton • April 25, 2017

New York council member calls for stronger ‘zero waste’ plan

Ben Kallos' bills would mandate 100% diversion by 2030 and the placement of recycling and composting cans in public spaces.

By Cole Rosengren • April 24, 2017

Streamlining smart: Cleantech San Diego’s CEO on building the city of tomorrow

By linking city officials with its members, Jason Anderson's trade group is facilitating San Diego's integration of smart technologies and transition to 100% renewable energy.

By Jackie Snow • April 24, 2017

Park paths are paved with material made of recycled tires

Park visitors in Florida walk through the parks on sturdy 8-foot-wide paths. The paths were installed with Porous Pave XL, a pour-in-place permeable paving material.

By Michael Keating • April 24, 2017

Study: Berkeley soda tax reduced sales of sugary drinks 10%

In its first year, the California city's tax raised $1.4 million for child nutrition and community health programs, researchers found.

By Keith Loria • April 24, 2017

Rising sea levels start to take a toll on coastal housing

Zillow analysis found that 300 cities would lose half or more of their housing stock by 2100; 36 coastal cities could be completely submerged.

By Katy Tomasulo • April 24, 2017

A look at 2017’s greenest states — and how they’re pushing cities toward a smart future

A study from WalletHub details the states with the best (and worst) environmental policies, highlighting everything from air quality to waste diversion rates.

By Jackie Snow • April 20, 2017

Wal-Mart launches ambitious project to cut emissions from supply chain

The retail giant's effort, dubbed “Project Gigaton,” aims to reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions by one billion tons by 2030.

By Daphne Howland • April 20, 2017

Virginia launches nation’s first business accelerator for smart city development

The program consists of a 90-day boot camp for chosen startups that will be mentored and given resources to test ideas.

By Jackie Snow • April 19, 2017

How e-commerce logistics is changing cities

On-demand delivery shifted consumer expectations and forced supply chains' digital infrastructure to improve. Now, the physical infrastructure is catching up, too.

By Edwin Lopez , Jennifer McKevitt • April 19, 2017

Philadelphia officials continue to push ‘zero waste’ efforts

According to Streets Commissioner Carlton Williams, the city spends $1.4 million to clean up illegal dumping each year and will be pursuing new ways to prosecute offenders.

By Cole Rosengren • April 19, 2017

Telecommuting has grown 159% since 2000

More full-time workers work from home than cycle or walk to the office combined.

By Valerie Bolden-Barrett • April 18, 2017

A new kind of green: Developers trade golf courses for hiking trails, gardens to draw buyers

Nature-based amenities are giving residents of master-planned communities a stronger connection to the outdoors as well as to their neighbors.

By Katy Tomasulo • April 18, 2017

Why a prison is teaching its inmates how to code

The privately-funded program is spearheaded by The Last Mile, a nonprofit that connects prisoners with jobs at Silicon Valley companies.

By Tess Taylor • April 17, 2017

VR campus tours come to Texas A&M

Prospective students can now visit a variety of campus locations, receiving information about each via an on-screen display.

By Roger Riddell • April 17, 2017

Report: Substandard housing contributes to poor mental, physical health

More than 30 million housing units in the U.S. have major physical or health hazards, per a report from the Urban Institute exploring ways to battle blight.

By Mary Tyler March • April 17, 2017

Dallas siren hacking indicates need for secure tech infrastructure

The hackers reportedly set off 156 sirens more than a dozen times in the middle of the night, causing stress to the area's 911 system.

By Kristin Musulin , Jackie Snow • April 12, 2017