Climate & Resilience: Page 4
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Courtesy of Caltrain
2 California commuter railroads implement zero-emission trains
Caltrain and the San Bernardino County Transportation Authority join other commuter rail lines in replacing diesel-powered trains with battery, electric or hydrogen fuel cell technologies.
By Dan Zukowski • Aug. 22, 2024 -
peeterv via Getty Images
Focus on heat illness intensifies after death of Baltimore sanitation worker
In the wake of the death of Ronald Silver II, a city employee, labor groups are calling for more heat safety protections — and fast. Pending state and federal heat standards could help.
By Megan Quinn • Aug. 22, 2024 -
Explore the Trendline➔
jamesteohart via Getty Images
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 -
Johan_Spinnell via Getty Images
Deep DiveAn air conditioning law, the first in its region, changed tenants’ rights in this Maryland county
Montgomery County began requiring landlords to provide AC in 2020 amid climate concerns and renter complaints. Despite a shaky start, officials say things are going smoothly now.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 22, 2024 -
GomezDavid via Getty Images
Urban forests are ‘critical but underfunded.’ A report looks at how to fix that.
Carbon credit programs, revolving funds and partnerships with conservancies could provide some of the money needed to prevent these green spaces from degrading, the Natural Areas Conservancy says.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 21, 2024 -
Spencer Platt via Getty Images
Municipal pools are popular, but they come at a price for cities
Cities tout the numerous benefits public pools provide. As costs to maintain, operate and staff them grow, however, funding strategies become increasingly important.
By Karen Kroll • Aug. 21, 2024 -
Permission granted by CompostNow
Composters add pickup services for hard-to-recycle items, addressing gap
The small, independent haulers are partnering with recyclers in Florida, Georgia, Massachusetts and elsewhere to divert materials.
By Jacob Wallace • Aug. 20, 2024 -
Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
More efficient electric vehicles can reduce grid stress, cut charging costs by almost a third: ACEEE
Local governments can leverage registration fees and subsidies to encourage EV efficiency, says research published Tuesday by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.
By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2024 -
Kent J. Edwards/Reuters
Deep DiveShould tenants have a right to cooling? More cities say yes amid record heat.
As rental cooling standards pop up around the country, experts warn that they aren’t a perfect solution to the rising danger of scorching temperatures.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 20, 2024 -
Adam Gray/Getty Images via Getty Images
With 10 new climate resilience centers, DOE aims to translate research into local action
Researchers will work on actionable science and tools to help local stakeholders combat extreme heat, flooding, drought and more, the U.S. Department of Energy announced last week.
By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 19, 2024 -
Joe Raedle/Getty Images via Getty Images
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 -
(2022). "Las Vegas heat tabletop exercise" [Photograph]. Retrieved from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
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 -
Jacob Wallace/Smart Cities Dive
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 -
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images via Getty Images
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 -
Permission granted by Marvel, TYLin | Silman Structural Solutions, NYC Department of Design and Construction and the NYC Department of Parks & Recreation
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 -
Permission granted by Friends of + POOL
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 -
Courtesy of NFI Group Inc.
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 -
Retrieved from Cornell University on August 06, 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 -
Spencer Platt/Getty Images via Getty Images
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 -
Mario Tama/Getty Images via Getty Images
$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 -
ArtistGNDphotography via Getty Images
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 -
David McNew via Getty Images
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 -
Elijah-Lovkoff via Getty Images
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 -
Permission granted by Philadelphia Parks & Recreation
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 -
Permission granted by ICLEI
Sponsored by ICLEIWhat 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 -
IPGGutenbergUKLtd via Getty Images
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
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