Utilities
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OpinionHow cities are using AI to keep drinking water safe
An important federal deadline for identifying and replacing lead and copper service lines is less than two years away. New technology can help communities meet the LCRI mandates.
By Ajay Sharma • Dec. 22, 2025 -
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As EPA moves to fast-track data centers, some cities are moving to slow them down
The EPA is streamlining Clean Air Act permitting to accelerate development. Will local communities pay the price?
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Dec. 17, 2025 -
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Virginia data centers must pay ‘fair share,’ incoming lieutenant governor says
“There is new energy in this legislature, and with it a real opportunity to build new energy right here in the Commonwealth,” said Lt. Gov.-elect Ghazala Hashmi.
By Diana DiGangi • Dec. 17, 2025 -
Permission granted by Oldcastle Infrastructure
Sponsored by Oldcastle InfrastructureFrom reactive to predictive: A new era in water asset management
AI-driven leak detection and predictive analysis transform water management—saving money, resources and resilience.
By Michael Casey • Dec. 15, 2025 -
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House bill barring state, local gas appliance bans clears hurdle
California and Washington are among the states with gas bans, and Washington, D.C., and Montgomery County, Maryland, are among the localities with bans.
By Robert Freedman • Dec. 8, 2025 -
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Smart permitting, phase-out of diesel generators could curb data center impacts
A look at what’s happening in California shows that even in an environmentally progressive state, unhealthy emissions and resource depletion are problems needing a solution, an academic report says.
By Robert Freedman • Dec. 3, 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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OpinionThe water workforce is graying. Here’s what we need to do to restart the pipeline.
Broad-based coalitions must raise awareness of the industry, create training and employment programs and embrace artificial intelligence to grow the U.S. water infrastructure workforce.
By Lori Sutton • Nov. 19, 2025 -
Jacob Wallace/Smart Cities Dive
New York seeks feedback on 10-year waste strategy
The city’s sanitation department sets goals for expanding composting and rethinking its recycling infrastructure as it looks to boost diversion and phase out landfill reliance.
By Jacob Wallace • Nov. 12, 2025 -
Courtesy of Circular Action Alliance
Oregon’s producer-funded recycling program offers cities a road map for cleaner waste streams
With plans for more than 140 dropoff depots by 2027, the state’s new program is designed to make recycling more efficient and manage hard-to-recycle materials without new taxpayer costs.
By Megan Quinn • Oct. 22, 2025 -
Permission granted by Oldcastle Infrastructure
Sponsored by Oldcastle InfrastructureKey steps every municipal water manager needs to take
Realities municipal water managers must consider to navigate the evolving water management landscape.
By Keaton Clay • Oct. 20, 2025 -
by Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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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Republic, Teamsters end strikes that hit city trash routes nationwide
A final contract in Cumming, Ga., concludes months of labor unrest that disrupted trash collection in multiple cities.
By Jacob Wallace • Oct. 17, 2025 -
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New York City could face power reliability issues beginning next year, state’s grid operator says
Reliability report findings “should be alarming to residents and serve as another wake up call for the state,” said Gavin Donohue, president of the Independent Power Producers of New York.
By Robert Walton • Oct. 15, 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 -
iStock, Marcus Lindstrom
Sponsored by Nationwide Energy PartnersMaster-metered multifamily: The missing ingredient for scalable virtual power plants
Master-metered multifamily unlocks the missing ingredient for virtual power plants: reliable, scalable load.
By Teresa Ringenbach, Senior Vice President, Corporate Affairs • Sept. 29, 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 -
Permission granted by Sean Martin/Teamsters Local 25
Republic Services and Teamsters reach 5-year agreement in Boston
The new collective bargaining agreement brings an end to a monthslong strike that triggered a wave of labor action in other cities this summer.
By Jacob Wallace • Sept. 24, 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 -
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Residential electricity rates up 6.6% over last year
Local leaders call for relief as gas prices rise and AI demand strains grids.
By Emma Penrod • Sept. 19, 2025 -
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Cities can lead the way on resilient cooling, report says
Local officials have the tools to expand access to affordable cooling while boosting grid resilience and economic development, according to the Federation of American Scientists.
By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Sept. 17, 2025 -
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CenterPoint Energy courts Minnesota communities for networked geothermal pilot
The utility is hoping to prove to local governments that such decarbonization efforts can meet residents’ energy needs in a cold-weather climate.
By Brian Martucci • Sept. 16, 2025
