Utilities: Page 23


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    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
  • A U.S. Postal Service van on the road.
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    Emma Cosgrove/Smart Cities Dive
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    USPS to purchase 40% electric vehicles, expanding previous commitments

    A previous decision to purchase 10% electric vehicles as part of an update to its aging delivery fleet led to pushback, scrutiny and lawsuits.

    By Robert Walton • July 21, 2022
  • Closeup of a blue and silver car charging.
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    Sean Gallup via Getty Images
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    AECOM selected by Arizona DOT to develop EV charging station plan

    The statewide initiative is funded through the federal infrastructure act.

    By Julie Strupp • July 19, 2022
  • An American flag flies atop the White House on a partly cloudy day in Washington, DC.
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    Alex Wong via Getty Images
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    Deadline approaches for states to access National EV Infrastructure program funds

    The Joint Office of Energy and Transportation recently received the first state plan. “We've really been there to try to be as much of a resource as possible,” said Deputy Director Rachael Nealer.

    By July 18, 2022
  • DOE awards weatherization, efficiency funding to address ‘critical gap’ in federal assistance

    Experts say about half of low-income households struggle to pay their power bill, and expansion of the federal government’s Weatherization Assistance Program can help lower energy burdens.

    By Robert Walton • July 15, 2022
  • West Virginia Senator Joe Manchin stands behind a row of microphones, with a woman to his right holding another microphone, in an office building.
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    Anna Moneymaker via Getty Images
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    Extension of EV tax credits in jeopardy after Manchin says he won’t support climate spending

    As many cities prepare to support more electric vehicles on the street, any extension to the expiring federal tax credits to help consumers purchase EVs appears doomed given opposition from the West Virginia senator.

    By July 15, 2022
  • A white electric vehicle, parked by a sign that reads "Electric Vehicle charging station," is seen from a low angle outside the driver's door, plugged in to a charger.
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    Justin Sullivan via Getty Images
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    EV tax credits begin to phase out as more consumers look to electric vehicles to avoid high gas prices

    Negotiations continue in Congress to rescue electric vehicle incentives and overcome opposition from Sen. Joe Manchin.

    By July 14, 2022
  • A person charges an electric vehicle.
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    Electric vehicle sales hit new record in Q2

    The market share for electric vehicles nearly doubled year over year despite supply shortages and high prices, according to data released by Cox Automotive.

    By July 14, 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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    Irvine Selects Clariti’s Permitting and Land Management Software

    Irvine Selects Clariti’s Permitting and Land Management Software

    By Clariti • July 13, 2022
  • Texas energy retailer launches electric vehicle leasing business

    Utilities across the country are working to enable the electric vehicle transition, but Octopus Energy says its new leasing and “smart charging” plan is unique.

    By Robert Walton • July 11, 2022
  • Two vehicles parked in a garage, with an electric charging cable connceted to a white Nissan in the foreground.
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    Drew Angerer via Getty Images
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    Interest in EVs has grown substantially, survey shows

    A Consumer Reports survey shows 14% of consumers would buy or lease an electric vehicle if shopping today, but high purchase costs and low awareness of incentives remain barriers.

    By July 7, 2022
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    Nathan Howard via Getty Images
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    Switching to efficient electric heat pumps and appliances could save Oregon $1.1B through 2050, study finds

    In Portland, for instance, households that electrify could save $161 a year on energy compared to homes that burn gas. Meanwhile, the city of Eugene is pursuing a local policy to wean developers off natural gas in new construction.

    By Kavya Balaraman • July 6, 2022
  • Seattle EV chargers on utility poles.
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    Permission granted by Seattle City Light
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    Seattle residents can request an EV charger on their street

    By installing EV chargers on utility poles and freestanding structures, Seattle aims to meet the charging needs of residents in multifamily housing or others who don’t have garages, carports, or driveways.

    By Katie Pyzyk • June 29, 2022
  • Chevrolet Bolt electric vehicle.
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    Permission granted by General Motors
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    Q&A

    General Motors aims to make EV charging accessible to apartment residents

    Working with cities, states and local GM dealers, the automaker wants to solve the challenge of charging access for those who live in multifamily dwellings, its EV charging analyst explains.

    By June 28, 2022
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    unsplash/Eric Mclean

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    Sponsored by Liftango

    Carpooling’s solution to rising gas prices

    Commuters that carpool to work can offset the mounting costs of increased gas prices while helping the environment.

    June 21, 2022
  • Windmill farm in the desert at sunset in Palm Springs, California with power lines going to the city.
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    California needs to triple historical decarbonization rates to meet 2030 carbon target, report finds

    “The key takeaway is that California is leaving beneficial, earlier action on the table,” said Chris Busch, research director with Energy Innovation and primary author of the report. 

    By Kavya Balaraman • June 17, 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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    Making urban placemaking equitable through collaboration

    What makes a city a city? Ask 10 people, and you’ll likely receive 10 different answers: the community, the buildings, the culture, the restaurants.

    By Celeste Frye • June 16, 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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    Reno launches first-ever municipal blockchain app to track public transactions

    Reno launches first-ever municipal blockchain app to track public transactions

    By Andy Castillo • June 16, 2022
  • DOT proposes rules for national EV charging network, including 97% uptime and 150 kW requirements

    The proposal, which requires fast-charging stations to offer a standard plug and at least four charging ports, would apply to projects funded by the National Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Formula Program.

    By Robert Walton • June 10, 2022
  • Skyscrapers in Hong Kong.
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    All signs point to a ‘growing appetite’ for digital twins: report

    Implementation is expected to increase 36% over the next five years, according to a Capgemini Research Institute report. But one smart city expert cautions city leaders against falling for the technology's "hype.”

    By Cailin Crowe • June 8, 2022
  • Ithaca, NY welcome sign
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    Robert Walton/Smart Cities Dive
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    Deep Dive

    Inside Ithaca’s plan to electrify 6,000 buildings and grow a regional green workforce using private equity funds

    The city has mustered $105 million in private funds to support low-cost loans for businesses and residents to install heat pumps.

    By Robert Walton • June 3, 2022
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    Montinique Monroe via Getty Images
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    Q&A

    Austin’s new chief resiliency officer talks equipping communities in face of extreme weather, violence, injustice

    Former Houston official Laura Patiño talks about lessons learned from Winter Storm Uri, the push to enact "resilience hubs" and the potential for a national chief resilience officer. 

    By Maria Rachal • May 31, 2022
  • Washington, DC, is ‘ideally poised for electrification,’ Sierra Club finds. The city’s gas utility disagrees.

    Renewable natural gas and green hydrogen could help the nation's capital avoid costly electric grid upgrades, according to Washington Gas.

    By Robert Walton • May 13, 2022
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    Anthony Devlin via Getty Images
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    California approves $11.7M vehicle-to-grid pilots in PG&E footprint

    The programs will support the build-out of bidirectional charging equipment, which regulators say can provide broader resiliency benefits.

    By Kavya Balaraman • Updated May 9, 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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    Research highlights municipal bond issuers that have the fastest audit times

    Research highlights municipal bond issuers that have the fastest audit times

    By Andy Castillo • May 6, 2022