Utilities: Page 22

  • A row of white EV chargers with cables and plus stand against a blurry background of trees and a brick building.
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    15 states should be prioritized for EV infrastructure, EV Council report suggests

    To support increased numbers of electric vehicles, large cities and rural states in the South and Midwest will be challenged to provide enough charging stations, according to a report this month.

    By • Aug. 29, 2022
  • Modern tower buildings or skyscrapers in financial district with cloud on sunny day in Chicago, USA.
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    Growing building sector carbon emissions threaten 2050 net-zero goal, report warns

    U.S. economywide greenhouse gas emissions fell 12% from 2005 to 2019, but direct emissions from the building sector were higher, according to an Information Technology and Innovation Foundation report this week.

    By Robert Walton • Aug. 24, 2022
  • Close-up of building with Department of Transportation lettered on yellow bricks.
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    State NEVI plans raise concerns about EV charging infrastructure rollout

    Grid capacity, plus Buy America and matching fund requirements, are among states’ worries about the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure program, which aims to put charging stations every 50 miles along interstate highways.

    By • Aug. 23, 2022
  • A green and white electric car parked next to a charging station
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    Permission granted by MCE
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    Sponsored by MCE

    The power of clean transportation in an equitable energy future

    Learn how MCE, a Bay Area clean electricity provider, is electrifying our transportation sector.

    Aug. 22, 2022
  • President Biden signs the Inflation Reduction Act surrounded by members of congress and backed by American flags in the White House.
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    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
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    Flickr
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    District of Columbia regulators approve $92M energy efficiency program with focus on low- and moderate-income residents

    The three-year program is expected to result in almost 1% annual energy savings.

    By Robert Walton • Aug. 18, 2022
  • Empty parking stalls are equipped with electric vehicle chargers, under a canopy that contains solar panels.
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    Inflation Reduction Act concerns, shortfalls seen by EV, clean energy, environmental leaders

    Strict requirements for making EVs and content sourcing for critical minerals could challenge manufacturers, experts say, and climate progress depends on governments using funds from the climate and infrastructure laws wisely.

    By • Aug. 18, 2022
  • Buildings in downtown Boston at sunset.
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    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
  • The United States Capitol in February 2020
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    Megan Quinn/Smart Cities Dive
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    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
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    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
  • Gradient heat pump units showing on the exterior of a residential building.
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    Courtesy of Gradient
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    Q&A

    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
  • People line up to enter a low building with a sign identifying it as a California Department of Motor Vehicles office. A white car is parked under an awning in front of the building.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    EV adoption might be hindered by DMV fees: report

    Some of the same states that incentivize EV purchases charge additional fees to EV owners, but they could restructure those fees to align with emissions goals, according to a July RMI report.

    By • Aug. 10, 2022
  • Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) gives the thumbs up as he leaves the Senate Chamber after passage of the Inflation Reduction Act at the U.S. Capitol August 7, 2022 in Washington, DC.
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    Drew Angerer/Getty Images via Getty Images
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    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
  • Buildings in Bethesda, Maryland.
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    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
  • MCE staff unload portable batteries for distribution to customers.
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    Permission granted by MCE
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    Sponsored by MCE

    MCE: The power of an equitable energy future

    Learn how MCE, a Bay Area clean electricity provider, is creating an equitable clean energy future.

    Aug. 8, 2022
  • A detailed landscape design plan showing topographic contour lines, orange building illustrations, green trees, and directional arrows. The layout includes winding paths and clustered vegetation. A triangular scale ruler lies on the left, and three colored pencils, colored blue, green, and yellow, rest on the lower right corner of the page.
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    Column

    Partnership launches no-cost wastewater monitoring service for local governments

    Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Of all the...

    By Andy Castillo • Aug. 5, 2022
  • An artist's rendering of a city streetscape. A high-tech car approaches a crosswalk as pedestrians pass by.
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    Opinion

    Together, EVs, AVs and multimodal transportation will create more vibrant cities

    Gas stations, subway stations, parking garages and roads are among the city features we can reimagine as new mobility technologies change how we get from point A to point B, writes a leading exec at Gensler.

    By Andy Cohen • Aug. 5, 2022
  • A detailed landscape design plan showing topographic contour lines, orange building illustrations, green trees, and directional arrows. The layout includes winding paths and clustered vegetation. A triangular scale ruler lies on the left, and three colored pencils, colored blue, green, and yellow, rest on the lower right corner of the page.
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    Column

    Investing in America’s onsite wastewater treatment systems for equity and sustainability

    Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Ensuring t...

    By Sion Calabretta, Maureen Cunningham • Aug. 4, 2022
  • An engineer checks the installation of heat pump on a model house.
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    Electric heat pumps will be the cheapest clean option to heat most US homes by 2030: ACEEE

    To advance the transition to carbon-free heating, a report calls for additional research and development, incentives and grants to support installation, minimum efficiency standards for heating equipment, and other policies.

    By Robert Walton • July 28, 2022
  • Electric vehicles charging station on a background of a row of trucks. Concept
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    National EV charging network needs private investment incentives, retailers say

    The federal government is preparing to disburse $5 billion to states for the development of a national electric vehicle charging network, but retailers say policies must change to incentivize private investment.

    By Robert Walton • July 27, 2022
  • Wildfire smoke lingers over the city of Portland, Oregon, in August 2021.
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    Nathan Howard via Getty Images
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    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
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    Wikimedia Commons
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    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
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    Photo of Bry’Ana Wallace provided by MCE

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    Sponsored by MCE

    The power of a clean energy economy

    Learn how MCE, a Bay Area clean electricity provider, is building a clean energy workforce.

    July 25, 2022
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    iStock.com/RoschetzkyIstockPhoto

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    Sponsored by Schneider Electric

    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
  • A detailed landscape design plan showing topographic contour lines, orange building illustrations, green trees, and directional arrows. The layout includes winding paths and clustered vegetation. A triangular scale ruler lies on the left, and three colored pencils, colored blue, green, and yellow, rest on the lower right corner of the page.
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    Column

    Report highlights electrification trends, future outlook for clean energy technology

    Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.As communi...

    By Andy Castillo • July 22, 2022