Digital transformation in utilities starts on the frontlines

As COVID-19 kicks the utility industry's digital efforts into high gear, companies should first focus on building a connected workforces.

By Cristian Grossmann • Nov. 2, 2020

NYC strengthens Climate Mobilization Act building requirements

Buildings with less than 35% of units under rent regulation will be required to comply with the act's emissions limits and not pass the costs to tenants, following a Thursday city council vote.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 30, 2020

Austin, TX is tapping its waterways to address racial equity

UT-Austin students partnered with Austin Water to address how the public utility can support racial equity through efforts like CAP assistance and advanced metering.

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 29, 2020

10 statewide ballot measures to watch: results

Of the 10 ballot initiatives identified last week as "measures to watch," only one — a rent control initiative in California — failed at the polls.

By Kristin Musulin , Chris Teale , Cailin Crowe • Updated Nov. 4, 2020

DOE campaign drives $95M in building energy cost savings

The campaign, facilitated by the Berkeley Lab, unlocked what is reportedly the world's largest dataset of building energy analytics and value propositions.

By Cailin Crowe • Oct. 20, 2020

Group develops global blockchain standard for EV grid integration

The standard could pave the way for an expansion of the vehicle electrification market, but it must support innovation in a manner that benefits entire communities and not just the wealthy few, one expert said.

By Thomas Gresham • Oct. 20, 2020

Shutting off water in a pandemic? With the right tech, we shouldn’t have to.

Thousands of Americans are at risk of water shut-offs due to financial constraints. Why is this, when technologies exist to make water more affordable for everyone?

By Christine E. Boyle • Oct. 19, 2020

Installing LED streetlights without control is not very smart

Why using a standard photocell on an LED streetlighting fixture is a lost opportunity.

By Matt Besch, Xylem • Oct. 19, 2020

Albuquerque, NM breaks ground on 50 MW solar field on tribal lands

The array, through a partnership with utility PNM and the Jicarilla Apache Nation, will help the city get 88% of its electricity from renewable energy by the end of 2021.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 16, 2020

Electric vehicle firms partner to ramp up charging station access, reliability

EV Connect joined three of its industry peers for its Partner Program, designed to increase station reliability and help chargers avoid maintenance issues.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 14, 2020

Concealing 5G small cell sites in your city

In the coming years, municipalities will want to work with carriers and tower companies to make sure small cell sites blend in with the aesthetics of city architecture and meet approval of street lighting committees.

By Apostolis Sotiriou • Oct. 2, 2020

Pittsburgh mayor: To push a green economy, speak to citizens’ pocketbooks

In a Climate Mayors webinar on Thursday, mayors in the Ohio Valley region said people whose jobs rely on fossil fuels must not be left behind.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 2, 2020

Cities push ahead on EEaaS as private sector plays catch up

Forms of Energy Efficiency as a Service have existed for decades as alternative funding mechanisms in cities. Now, as technologies accelerate and COVID-19 continues, the private sector wants in.

By Chris Teale • Oct. 1, 2020

Now is the time to remaster your master plan

Now is the time to remaster your master plan

By Matt Gullo • Sept. 30, 2020

Bay Area mayors push back on remote work strategy

San Francisco Mayor London Breed and San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said they “cannot support” the proposal amid concerns about the vitality of downtown economies.

By Chris Teale • Updated Oct. 16, 2020

Partnerships key in addressing aging stormwater infrastructure

Public officials are realizing a viable and proven opportunity to answer water management challenges through community and private partnerships.

By Keisha Brown • Sept. 28, 2020

California mandates all new passenger vehicle sales be zero-emission by 2035

The goal could reduce the state's greenhouse gas emissions over 35% from cars statewide, fast tracking California's climate goals as the state grapples with a series of destructive wildfires. 

By Kavya Balaraman • Sept. 24, 2020

Sidewalk Labs tool aims to boost building energy efficiency

Mesa, which uses automation and real-time data to optimize energy use, is part of a suite of products developed in the wake of the company's Toronto exit.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 22, 2020

In deploying electrified urban transport, look to university campuses

Recognizing universities as urban innovation hubs, particularly for electrified transportation, can aid the transition to a new, better "normal" post-coronavirus.

By Rod Keller • Sept. 15, 2020

Transition to EVs could save $72B in health costs: American Lung Association

Widespread EV adoption and the resulting emission reductions could prevent more than 6,000 premature deaths in 2050, according to the organization.

By Chris Teale • Sept. 15, 2020

‘Aggressive’ federal aid would push US to net zero emissions by 2050: report

America's Pledge released its fourth-annual U.S. climate analysis, finding to its "great surprise" that the pandemic is not slowing climate progress.

By Cailin Crowe • Sept. 14, 2020

A ‘uniquely LA’ streetlight design will soon illuminate the City of Angels

Project Room won Los Angeles' streetlight design competition with its Superbloom concept, described as a streetlight "bouquet" with extra arms for features such as pedestrian fixtures or solar panels.

By Kristin Musulin • Sept. 11, 2020

House to probe clean energy omission in COVID recovery

As the U.S. diverges from other countries in its efforts to marry economic recovery with climate policy, a House subcommittee is planning to hold a hearing on efforts in the EU and elsewhere.

By Catherine Morehouse • Sept. 11, 2020

67% of low-income households face high energy burden: ACEEE

About one-quarter of all U.S. households face a high energy burden, with low-income households and communities of color spending disproportionately more of their income on energy costs. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 10, 2020

EV battery sustainability is a must to meet climate ambitions

Better governance of the extraction of EV minerals is essential to the future of mineral-producing countries, the electric vehicle industry and global transportation.

By Ethan N. Elkind and Patrick R. P. Heller • Sept. 8, 2020