Advanced mobility, mass timber projects chosen in $1B federal regional challenge

The American Rescue Plan’s $1 billion Build Back Better Regional Challenge will support joint efforts to use mass timber to accelerate affordable housing, spur American manufacturing for advanced mobility, and much more.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 9, 2022

California poised to give $1,000 to residents for not owning a car

California could soon offer an incentive for lower-income households to forgo car ownership on top of an existing reward program for residents to retire their existing vehicles.

By Dan Zukowski • Sept. 6, 2022

Explore the 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

Arup, startup are building smart city modeling tools to maximize energy efficiency

With Matidor, the partners seek to help civil engineers see the environmental impact and energy efficiency of what they’re developing in real time.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 2, 2022

How New York City can make basement apartments safer: reports

A year after rainfall and subsequent flooding from Hurricane Ida led to 11 deaths of basement residents, a nonprofit and the city comptroller called for safety measures, protections and a pathway to legalize the dwellings.

By Maria Rachal • Sept. 1, 2022

Plugging $1B for alternative fuel vehicles, EPA head test-drives electric garbage truck

Inflation Reduction Act funding will be available “to replace dirty heavy-duty trucks with zero-emission models,” a recent video with EPA Administrator Michael Regan highlighted.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 30, 2022

Jersey City mapping food rescue opportunities

The pandemic worsened food insecurity. Jersey City’s public works and health and human services departments, focused on reducing waste and boosting access, are working to better map and distribute food resources.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 29, 2022

California sets road map to complete ban on gasoline-powered vehicle sales by 2035

Under the Clean Air Act, 17 states and D.C. can now follow this lead. Massachusetts established a trigger law this month to adopt the regs once California does. Automakers are worried about their ability to meet the timeline.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 26, 2022

Resilient Land Use Cohort to explore climate adaptation strategies

Urban Land Institute networks and community representatives in five regions will investigate how to best implement resilience hubs, conduct land swaps for homes in flood zones and scale green infrastructure, among other ideas.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 25, 2022

NYC’s most critical infrastructure now and for the next 100 years

The New York Building Congress outlined which rail, road, bridge and other projects will grow the city's economy and help it adapt to climate change.

By Sebastian Obando • Aug. 24, 2022

How cities can prepare for the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate opportunities

With billions of dollars for energy efficiency upgrades, urban park enhancements and more signed into law this week, experts share tips on how cities can start preparing for funding opportunities now.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 19, 2022

Boston aims to eliminate fossil fuels in new buildings

The city’s chance to set new building standards comes from the climate bill the Massachusetts governor signed last week, which extends that opportunity to 10 municipalities in the state. 

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 17, 2022

Support for housing efficiency upgrades, urban parks, drought resilience poised to become law

With the House sending the Inflation Reduction Act to the president’s desk, some climate leaders say the onus will shift to local governments to execute on key initiatives.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 15, 2022

Chicago commits to 100% renewable energy at city facilities by 2025

The clean energy agreement “helps build the market” while encouraging smaller cities and municipalities “to make similar commitments,” said a senior attorney at the Environmental Law & Policy Center.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 15, 2022

New York public housing is poised for electric heating and cooling upgrades from a California startup

Vince Romanin, the CEO of Gradient, discusses the market for heat pumps and a New York City Housing Authority contract to rethink HVAC for residents vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 10, 2022

New York City rolling out ‘largest curbside composting program in the nation’ with Queens expansion

After years of budget cuts and political shifts, the Department of Sanitation says this latest organics recycling iteration will be its most cost-effective and efficient approach yet. Drop-off bins are also being added in other boroughs.

By Cole Rosengren • Aug. 9, 2022

Mayors and city leaders voice support for Inflation Reduction Act

The bill, which passed the Senate on Sunday, represents the largest climate investment in U.S. history and has garnered support from cities seeking to lower greenhouse gas emissions and boost resilience.

By Danielle McLean • Aug. 9, 2022

Building performance standards momentum slowly grows in the wake of White House efforts

A Maryland county’s policy represents one of the only major updates so far, but more localities have said they’ll pursue standards. Funds in the Inflation Reduction Act could provide new incentives to decarbonize buildings.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 8, 2022

EV manufacturers, regulators debate US ability to hit 50% sales goal by 2030

The right federal policy and charging infrastructure, as well as solutions to supply chain issues, are critical to meeting the goal of half of new vehicle sales being electric by 2030, said Center for Automotive Research event panelists.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 3, 2022

Federal Highway Administration announces $7.3B in grants for transportation resilience

Communities can use these funds to prepare highway, transit, pedestrian, bicycle and port facilities to better withstand natural disasters.

By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 2, 2022

To address its climate emergency, Portland, Oregon, lays out a 43-step plan

Creating resilience hubs and replacing petroleum diesel at the pump are among the top actions city officials intend to pursue in the coming years after declaring a climate emergency in 2020. 

By Maria Rachal • July 26, 2022

Massachusetts passes ‘landmark’ climate bill to decarbonize buildings, transportation

The bill in part requires annual energy usage reports from buildings 20,000 square feet or larger and creates a pilot for 10 municipalities to offer fossil fuel-free home renovations, targeting affordable housing and multifamily housing.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • July 25, 2022

Chase launches EV education website to help consumers navigate the electric vehicle purchase decision

Making the decision to buy an electric vehicle involves questions about home and on-road charging, costs and driving range that the bank hopes to answer. 

By Dan Zukowski • July 25, 2022

No city is immune to extreme weather

As severe weather events become more frequent, government leaders put disaster relief plans in place.

July 25, 2022

New York City expands role in ConEd demand response program amid second week of stifling temperatures

The city’s increased participation can reduce peak energy demand by 115 MW, officials said. 

By Robert Walton • July 21, 2022

Biden announces executive actions on extreme heat response, offshore wind

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act is providing a funding boost for the president’s climate initiatives.

By Julie Strupp • July 21, 2022