Electric bus maker Proterra files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection

Citing "market and macroeconomic headwinds," the U.S.-based manufacturer looks to restructure its business.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 8, 2023

More composters are accepting food waste, but challenges remain: survey

While the number of composters accepting food waste continues to grow, more than a third have a zero-tolerance policy for contamination. Compostable packaging, meanwhile, is becoming more commonly accepted.

By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 7, 2023

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Top 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

Commercial-to-residential conversions could accelerate under HUD initiative

Building industry experts say the Housing and Urban Development Department grant will give much-needed guidance on projects stalled by zoning hurdles and outdated permitting processes.

By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 4, 2023

Vehicle greenhouse gas emissions measured inconsistently by states, cities: GAO

Although motor vehicles account for the vast majority of transportation-related CO2 emissions, authorities face challenges in gathering and measuring useful data.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 4, 2023

How to safely store e-bikes, e-scooters in apartments

The uptick in micromobility battery fires shows electrification is "moving faster than we’re able to necessarily adapt to," a fire protection expert at an engineering consulting firm said.

By Mary Salmonsen • Aug. 3, 2023

New York changes trash requirements for food businesses in anti-rat push

The city’s Department of Sanitation enacted its latest rule this week requiring commercial food establishments to handle waste differently. The move may have operational benefits for haulers, but it poses logistical questions.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 2, 2023

Tucson, Arizona, gears up climate action as city faces extreme weather

Cooling centers, decarbonization and tree-planting are in the works after the city adopted a climate action plan the mayor said was developed “in record time.” 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 2, 2023

$400M job training program in PA aims to boost infrastructure projects

Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro has created a workforce development grant designed to help employers pay wages and training costs.

By Zachary Phillips • Aug. 1, 2023

Extreme heat merits federal major disaster status, local leaders say

Proposed federal legislation would unlock much-needed resources for local extreme heat response, say the National League of Cities and U.S. Conference of Mayors.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 1, 2023

Building code, energy code updates face pushback due to cost concerns

Codes that seek to curb emissions and fossil fuel consumption will save money in the long run, supporters say, but builders and facility managers wonder if “the juice is worth the squeeze.”

By Nish Amarnath • July 26, 2023

Low-income, disadvantaged communities urged to apply for $7B federal solar grants

The EPA Solar For All competition offers up to 60 grants for solar programs that provide financing and technical assistance like workforce development.

By Diana DiGangi • July 25, 2023

Cities can afford more climate projects with new tax incentives: report

Tax credits made available to cities through the Inflation Reduction Act are so significant “that they may warrant a re-evaluation of some previously assessed investment opportunities,” the Alliance for a Sustainable Future report says.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 25, 2023

Colorado releases new statewide building energy codes

The standards, set to take effect July 1, will require local municipalities to meet minimum requirements, including electric vehicle and solar panel compatibility.

By Joe Burns • Updated July 25, 2023

Vermont delays residential building energy code implementation to July 2024

A legislative committee wants more time to create a state entity to improve international energy conservation code compliance.

By Nish Amarnath • July 24, 2023

California clears path for safe conversion of underused commercial buildings

The California Building Standards Commission’s vote to amend existing building code allows multiple compliance paths for adaptive reuse.

By Nish Amarnath • July 24, 2023

Cost concerns spur North Carolina’s move to delay vote on building code update

The state’s Building Code Council has shelved a vote on a proposed overhaul of building energy efficiency rules as it waits for reports detailing the costs and benefits of implementing the changes. 

By Nish Amarnath • July 24, 2023

Northampton mulls adoption of energy efficient opt-in stretch code

The Massachusetts city is weighing the pros and cons of embracing a specialized stretch energy code to dissuade fossil fuel use in new building construction.

By Nish Amarnath • July 24, 2023

These 5 cities aim to cool down by scaling up ‘smart surfaces’ in coming years

The benefits of implementing these surfaces across a city may far outweigh the costs, according to the nonprofit Smart Surfaces Coalition, which is leading the initiative announced Thursday.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 24, 2023

Deadly battery fires from e-bikes, scooters prompt action in NYC

The city launched an education campaign, as legislators push for new policy and community groups strive to reach micromobility-reliant delivery workers.

By Kalena Thomhave • July 21, 2023

Washington, DC, sues 3M, DuPont, others over ‘forever chemicals’

The lawsuit alleges the chemical manufacturers polluted the Potomac River and the Tidal Basin.

By Sara Samora • July 20, 2023

Bezos fund commits $400M for urban green space, with initial $50M for 5 cities

To help underserved areas, the first round of awards from the Amazon founder’s climate solutions organization will support 24 urban greening organizations and six national organizations.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 20, 2023

Green ‘rebirth’ could be in store for smaller industrial cities across US

After decades of population loss and disinvestment, these cities are uniquely positioned to become climate-resilient hubs that support green agriculture and industry, says a Lincoln Institute of Land Policy report.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 18, 2023

Government systems must be sustainable, secure and cost effective for mission achievement

Government services are more than a utility—they help citizens better manage their lives and thrive in a modern society.

By Mike Wiseman • July 17, 2023

$90M for greener building energy codes awarded by DOE

“Modernizing energy codes is one of the most cost-effective ways to improve energy efficiency in homes and businesses and make communities more resilient to extreme weather events,” the Energy Department said.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 14, 2023

Extreme heat: What federal officials want cities to know

As more cities look to combat the perils of extreme heat, evaluating strategies’ effectiveness and scaling up the ones that work remain a challenge, federal officials say.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 13, 2023