Climate & Resilience: Page 3
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Disaster-struck communities now have more time to apply for FEMA resilience grants
Tight application deadlines were a barrier to accessing grants, state, local, tribal and territorial governments told the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 16, 2024 -
The US has its first national heat strategy. Here’s what to know.
Relatedly, the Biden administration launched a competition for communities to plan simulated heat emergency drills. Winners will get at least $20,000 each.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 15, 2024 -
Trendline
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 -
Large, stationary trash bins for buildings’ waste are coming to New York City streets. Are they the right fit?
As the city inks an up-to-$7 million contract, zero-waste advocates and landlord groups are frustrated by a proposal to require small residential buildings to use individual bins for waste collection.
By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 13, 2024 -
EPA unveils labels for green construction materials
Materials that earn the label will be listed in a central, publicly accessible registry, making it easier to identify and purchase them, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
By Julie Strupp • Aug. 12, 2024 -
Want more mass timber buildings in your city? This industry group could help.
New York City, Boston and Atlanta have launched programs to spur mass timber construction, which proponents say can lower buildings’ embodied carbon. The Softwood Lumber Board wants to fund more of such efforts.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 12, 2024 -
Floating pool in Manhattan’s East River gets a step closer to reality
As climate change drives more heat waves, New York state and city officials unveiled the location of a multiuse swimming facility they hope will bring residents some relief.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Updated Aug. 8, 2024 -
Zero-emission bus demand adds to New Flyer backlog
Supply chain issues are easing, says the transit bus maker's CEO, as the company works to fill market gaps left by competitors.
By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 7, 2024 -
Thermal energy networks can slash water use in buildings, study shows
With thermal energy networks poised to expand in coming years, water usage data must be standardized and publicly available, the Building Decarbonization Coalition said.
By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 7, 2024 -
OSHA’s proposed worker heat safety rule: What to know
Legal experts say regardless of whether the standard will be adopted, it’s a helpful tool and provides insight into the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s views on heat safety.
By Zachary Phillips • Aug. 2, 2024 -
$36M for low-income housing energy efficiency available from US DOE grants
Local governments and other entities can get up to $2 million each for weatherization and workforce training efforts.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 1, 2024 -
Clean energy tax credits are tough. This new tool could help.
The free online navigator from Lawyers for Good Government can help cities determine if a project qualifies for Inflation Reduction Act direct-pay incentives.
By Ysabelle Kempe • July 31, 2024 -
ExxonMobil climate liability case to proceed in Connecticut
A judge allowed the state to move ahead with its lawsuit, marking the latest victory for states and local governments looking to hold Big Oil accountable for climate change.
By Zoya Mirza • July 31, 2024 -
US cities sharpen focus on building performance standards to meet net-zero goals
U.S. cities are turning to performance-based standards to meet climate goals after traditional energy-efficiency mandates fell short, a JLL report says.
By Nish Amarnath • July 29, 2024 -
A new way to fund urban forestry takes root in Philadelphia
The city is turning wood waste into material that can be sold. Other cities are eyeing the approach, said the co-founder of the company Philadelphia is partnering with.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Updated July 29, 2024 -
Sponsored by ICLEI
What even is sustainable urban development? One city network is trying to define it
Local and regional governments in the ICLEI network are planning and implementing ambitious zero emission, nature-based, equitable, resilient and circular communities around the world.
By Barbara Riedemann • July 29, 2024 -
EPA releases $325M in environmental justice grants
It’s not too late for other local governments to apply to the federal Community Change grants program, with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency accepting submissions into November.
By Ysabelle Kempe • July 26, 2024 -
EPA to update landfill air emissions rules in 2025
This would be the first update to Clean Air Act emissions standards for new and existing municipal solid waste landfills since 2016.
By Jacob Wallace • July 25, 2024 -
EPA announces nearly $160M to cut construction emissions
Grant recipients will help disclose the environmental impacts of manufacturing construction materials as some cities eye ways to reduce buildings’ embodied carbon.
By Matthew Thibault • July 24, 2024 -
Building performance standards are likely not preempted by federal law, attorney says
Such policies are likely safe even after a federal appeals court struck down Berkeley, California’s first-in-the-nation gas ban in new construction, said Daniel Carpenter-Gold, staff attorney at the Public Health Law Center.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Updated July 24, 2024 -
600+ NYC facilities pledge to cut energy use as part of expanded demand response program
The city also plans to install over 1,150 real-time meters in municipal buildings to help manage electricity use, according to its Department of Citywide Administrative Services.
By Nish Amarnath • July 23, 2024 -
How cities are using Biden’s $4.3B climate pollution reduction grants
The grants “put local governments in the driver’s seat to develop climate solutions,” a federal official said. Cities and counties plan to use the money for electrification, bike-sharing, solar power and more.
By Ysabelle Kempe • July 23, 2024 -
New York wants tall commercial, multifamily buildings to test low-carbon heating retrofits
Seven finalists in a $10 million competition will develop heating and distribution systems that can be installed without displacing occupants, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last week.
By Nish Amarnath • July 22, 2024 -
14 attorneys general press FEMA to define heat, wildfire smoke as major disasters
The state officials are the latest to call on the Federal Emergency Management Agency to update its definition of major disasters eligible for federal money as key funds run low.
By Ysabelle Kempe • July 19, 2024 -
Boston has a new anti-rat plan. Here are 3 takeaways.
“We’re working to make Boston a home for everyone. Except for rats," Mayor Michelle Wu said as the city released a report by a leading urban rat researcher.
By Ysabelle Kempe • July 18, 2024 -
NYC bets big on porous pavement with $32M flood-control project
It's the city's first large-scale implementation of the approach after years of testing different porous pavement products.
By Ysabelle Kempe • July 17, 2024