Innovative wastewater treatment system eliminates methane, generates electricity

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.For advanc...

By Andy Castillo • Aug. 25, 2021

WRI lays out options for large energy users to decarbonize beyond renewables procurement

The study highlights Des Moines, Iowa, the first U.S. city to commit to a 24/7 carbon free electricity target by 2035, as an example for innovation.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Aug. 24, 2021

Explore the Trendline➔

Energy Codes and Building Performance Standards

Cities are using these levers to meet climate goals and address everything from data centers to building decarbonization.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

Solar could be 40% of US generation by 2035 but requires more investment, White House finds

Solar industry groups greeted the recent Biden administration report on the potential growth of the solar industry with enthusiasm, saying they hope tax reforms to improve incentives are in the works.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 23, 2021

Study: Densely populated city centers associated with lower rates of depression

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.By 2050, m...

By Andy Castillo • Aug. 23, 2021

Energy efficiency is for renters, too

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.The summer...

By Laurie Mazur • Aug. 20, 2021

Arizona 2050 clean energy mandate could increase utility bills nearly $60/month, study finds

A state mandate to achieve 100% clean energy by 2050 could increase utility bills, but clean energy advocates warn the projection should be taken "with a grain of salt," as new technologies could help lower costs.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2021

Modernizing the budgetary process with cloud-based systems lets municipalities better adapt

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.It wasn’t ...

By Andy Castillo • Aug. 20, 2021

As Senate passes infrastructure bill, Democrats eye opportunity for more energy spending

Sustainability efforts could be aided by the $3.5 trillion budget resolution, approved by the Senate last week, which contains more tax credits and incentives for renewable energy, including a clean electricity payment program.

By Jason Plautz • Aug. 16, 2021

California takes a first-of-its-kind step on building decarbonization

Following many cities' actions to rein in building emissions, the state energy commission voted to adopt an updated building energy code that makes electric heat pumps the baseline technology for space and water heating.

By Maria Rachal • Aug. 12, 2021

‘An enormous lift’: Biden’s goal of 50% EV sales by 2030 will test supply chains, utilities, experts say

Biden's lofty goal will run in tandem to investments in EV infrastructure. But other supports, like to manufacturing supply chains, are needed as well.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 11, 2021

Bring renewed purpose and civic pride to traditional municipal centers

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.Vibrant ci...

By Andrew Moore • Aug. 11, 2021

With 40 percent of America’s bridges in subpar condition, infrastructure legislation prioritizes repairs

If placed end-to-end, the length of United States’ bridges in need of substantial repair would span more than 6,000 miles—the distance from Atlanta to Los Angeles, then up through Canada to the northernmost point of Alaska’s highway system in Deadhorse.

By Andy Castillo • Aug. 9, 2021

120 EV charging stations to be installed at California apartment complexes through state partnership

Backed by state funding, the initiative with platform EVmatch could entice lower-income renters to purchase an electric vehicle.

By Danielle McLean • Aug. 6, 2021

Decentralized wastewater treatment systems projected to become more common as droughts persist

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.Last month...

By Andy Castillo • Aug. 5, 2021

Kansas City streetlight-mounted EV charger pilot aims for equity, accessibility

Most EV charging happens at home overnight, but not for the many people without garages. The Missouri city's federally funded charging project meets residents where they are and is helping to guide others through uncharted territory.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 4, 2021

Can street lights provide a solution when it comes to rural broadband connectivity?

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.The pandem...

By Ian Aaron • July 30, 2021

DOE says new building codes to cut energy costs by $138B, but EV backers see failure to advance charging

A requirement that new homes be wired for electric vehicle charging was not included in the final version.

By Robert Walton • July 30, 2021

Senate votes to advance bill with $550B for aging US infrastructure

Far smaller than Biden's American Jobs Plan, the bipartisan bill will next enter a phase of debates and amendments.

By Zachary Phillips • Updated July 29, 2021

Indiana DOT, Purdue developing wireless EV charging for highways

The aim is to create the first paved highway segment that contains contactless, wireless technologies to charge electric vehicles as they drive over it.

By Katie Pyzyk • Updated July 29, 2021

‘We have got to do something’: Cities behind on climate goals as extreme weather worsens

Funding, staffing shortfalls and a lack of buy-in from city workers are impeding progress, a Bloomberg Associates report states.

By Danielle McLean • July 27, 2021

Optimizing the citizen experience with interactive portals and one-door entry policies

IT leaders are rethinking citizen communications as the pandemic has led constituents to use hundreds of services online.

By Joseph Flynn • July 23, 2021

Washington, DC-area utility outlines plan to meet city climate goals

The clean energy approach would include focuses on electric vehicles, building decarbonization and a variety of grid modernization technologies. The nation's capital is aiming for 100% renewable energy by 2032.

By Robert Walton • July 22, 2021

Austin, Texas, neighborhood offers test bed for Tesla energy products

A planned community with Tesla's Solar Roof and Powerwalls could offer new insights for the company's energy future, following CEO Elon Musk recently admitting to "significant mistakes" with Tesla's solar arm.

By Jason Plautz • July 21, 2021

California approves expedited pathway for near-term utility EV investments

The decision will help California move toward its goal of deploying five million zero-emission vehicles by 2030, along with 250,000 light-duty or passenger vehicle chargers by 2025.

By Kavya Balaraman • July 16, 2021

Challenge to Berkeley gas regulation dismissed, a win for cities in carbon emissions fight

A federal judge dismissed a lawsuit last week that challenged the city's restrictions on natural gas in new low-rise residential buildings, a major boost for local governments looking to follow suit.

By Chris Teale • July 16, 2021