Data centers pursue on-site power as state and local leaders worry about their impact on utility bills: report

State elections last year demonstrated “voter angst around inflation in utility bills,” according to the report's author. “We’d expect more of the same this year.”

By Robert Walton • Feb. 17, 2026

Federal energy-assistance programs survive budget gauntlet

President Trump signed budget bills to maintain funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program and the Weatherization Assistance Program on Feb. 3, 2026.

By Brian Martucci • Feb. 6, 2026

Kansas City, Missouri, moves to the forefront of data center zoning with new ordinance

U.S. communities are watching closely as Kansas City reclassifies data centers as industrial facilities and launches a review of their impacts on water, power, climate goals and economic growth.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Feb. 6, 2026

Minneapolis, Philadelphia and Miami metros debate incinerator plans

Advocates continue to pressure officials to close or cut off waste shipments to incinerators in Minneapolis and the Philadelphia area. But progress continues on an incinerator in Miami-Dade County, Florida.

By Jacob Wallace • Jan. 29, 2026

Lawsuits target EPA rollback of coal plant water pollution standards

The plants need flexibility to meet rising electricity demand, the EPA says. Environmental groups argue that undermines Clean Water Act protections for rivers and drinking water sources.

By Robyn Griggs Lawrence • Jan. 23, 2026

Miami-Dade County launches innovation pilot with recycling app Scrapp

The partnership with Scrapp, which offers recycling education and data analytics, got a boost from a $100,000 county innovation grant.

By Megan Quinn • Jan. 16, 2026

Trump administration unlawfully cut clean energy grants, court rules

The decision is a victory for St. Paul, Minnesota, and a coalition of energy and environmental groups that sued the U.S. Department of Energy after it canceled $7.5 billion in financial awards.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 13, 2026

Trump administration sues cities to stop gas appliance bans

Federal courts have been mixed on whether the bans run counter to a federal law that sets appliance efficiency standards, which the government argues preempts the bans.

By Robert Freedman • Jan. 9, 2026

14 predictions about what 2026 may hold for cities

AI, infrastructure needs and shifting mobility patterns will shape how cities function in 2026, experts say.

By Smart Cities Dive Staff • Jan. 7, 2026

Home efficiency upgrades could offset data center loads while creating jobs: report

An analysis from energy policy group AnnDyl shows significant potential benefits for local grids, employment and utility ratepayers when data center companies invest in residential energy efficiency.

By Brian Martucci • Jan. 5, 2026

How 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

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

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

From 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

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

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

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

The 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

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

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

Key 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

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

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

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

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