Climate & Resilience
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EPA moves to roll back Biden-era particulate limits, signaling a major shift in clean air policy
The agency asked the U.S. Court of Appeals to overturn the 2024 “soot standard,” citing incomplete scientific analysis and projected compliance costs.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 26, 2025 -
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Sponsored by SamsaraHow connected operations transforms emergency response
84% of agencies lack real-time data for effective emergency response.
Nov. 24, 2025 -
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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.
By Smart Cities Dive staff -
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OpinionThe Eaton Fire showed us California’s future. Our recovery systems aren’t ready.
Ten months after the fire, many Altadena families remain displaced because permitting, remediation and housing policies are not designed for urban fire disasters. Here’s a road map to address these failures.
By Farid Yaghoubtil • Nov. 21, 2025 -
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Q&AHow cities are building climate resilience even as federal funds disappear
Cities are tapping AI, universities and streamlined procurement to prepare for and protect their communities from extreme weather, a founding member of the Local Infrastructure Hub says.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Nov. 21, 2025 -
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Power outages getting longer as extreme weather takes larger toll, report says
The average length of the longest power outage has increased in all regions since 2022, according to JD Power.
By Meris Lutz • Nov. 19, 2025 -
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OpinionBuilding climate-resilient communities: The case for performance-based codes
As communities face increasingly severe climate-related disasters, a shift to performance-based building codes is one of the most effective tools they have for protecting against future natural catastrophes and reinforcing community resilience.
By Charlie Sidoti • Nov. 18, 2025 -
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St. Paul, Minnesota, and environmental groups sue over canceled DOE clean energy grants
The lawsuit claims the Trump administration’s cancellation of $7.56 billion in grants for projects in 16 states was politically motivated.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Updated Nov. 13, 2025 -
Courtesy of Michigan State University
Michigan bets on mass timber to build economy and shrink carbon footprint
A new state grant program aims to accelerate adoption of renewable building materials across public and private projects.
By Matthew Thibault • Nov. 4, 2025 -
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NYC’s co-ops worry they can’t afford to decarbonize. A new road map offers a path from fear to funding.
Flexible incentives, zoning reform and collaboration could help co-op boards overcome Local Law 97’s financial and regulatory hurdles, the report states.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 31, 2025 -
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5 actions cities can take to keep climate goals on track
Local action is filling the void as the Trump administration pulls back from climate commitments. A new report details how cities can deliver emissions cuts — even without federal support.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 29, 2025 -
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FEMA delays $11B in reimbursements as states brace for tighter disaster budgets
The agency’s shifting of COVID-related payments into the next fiscal year highlights mounting fiscal pressure on its Disaster Relief Fund and growing uncertainty for states counting on federal aid, the National Association of Counties says.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 28, 2025 -
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States sue EPA over canceled Solar for All grants
In the third lawsuit filed about the grants this month, 22 states and the District of Columbia contend the agency illegally revoked $7 billion in clean energy funds awarded to local governments.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 17, 2025 -
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Cities must act now to secure remaining IIJA funds: NLC
Local governments should “maximize this moment” to strengthen resilience and climate readiness before the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act expires, a National League of Cities legislative director said.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 15, 2025 -
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Harris County, Texas, sues EPA over canceled Solar for All funds
County officials say the loss of $54 million in clean energy grants jeopardizes staffing, planning and partnerships built around the program, forcing major adjustments to local operations and budgets.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 14, 2025 -
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5 things keeping emergency managers up at night
Emergency managers are stretched thin as climate disasters and cyberthreats grow. Chronic underfunding and mission creep have left the nation’s front line unprepared, a Deloitte-NEMA study says.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 8, 2025 -
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Newsom orders statewide coordination on climate disaster risk
California agencies will jointly develop tools to help local governments and utilities withstand economic losses and insurance disruptions caused by worsening wildfires and other disasters.
By Zoya Mirza • Oct. 8, 2025 -
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Lawsuit challenges EPA rollback of solar program serving low-income communities
Community and labor groups argue the EPA’s termination of the $7 billion Solar for All program strips local governments of critical clean energy funding.
By Diana DiGangi • Oct. 7, 2025 -
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Communities brace for fallout as DOE terminates nearly $7.6B in clean energy project funding
Cuts to 223 projects across 16 states will mean job losses, higher energy costs and weaker grid reliability, experts and state agencies warn.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Oct. 3, 2025 -
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DOE cancels $7.6B in clean energy funding, hitting projects in 16 states
DOE officials say the cancellations target projects that were rushed through with weak documentation, while critics argue the move is political and will drive up costs for cities and consumers.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 2, 2025 -
Dan Zukowski/Smart Cities Dive
Top smart city conferences in 2026
Technology, housing, climate action, transportation, public safety and more take center stage at events for local government leaders in 2026.
By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Oct. 1, 2025 -
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5 steps to disaster-proof your city as FEMA pulls back
FEMA is stretched thin, a GAO report warns. Its author offers advice for local leaders to respond strategically and build resilience now.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 30, 2025 -
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How NYC is turning ambitious climate goals into results
At NYC Climate Week, the city’s climate office director highlighted tools like FloodNet and the NYC Accelerator as proof the city’s integrated approach to energy, equity and resilience is working.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 25, 2025 -
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Cities and states split on EPA proposal to repeal endangerment finding
On the final day of public comment, mayors and attorneys general submitted opposing letters on the rule that has shaped federal climate policy since 2009.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 24, 2025 -
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5 forces driving building retrofits and how cities can lead the shift
With nearly 1.5 billion square feet of aging stock in sustainability-focused markets, local governments are positioned to accelerate decarbonization, a JLL report finds.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 23, 2025 -
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Newsom signs California energy package into law
The new provisions seek to address rising electricity costs, wildfire mitigation and climate funding. The package includes a blueprint for a regional Western electricity market and requires community air monitoring in select locations.
By Meris Lutz • Sept. 23, 2025
