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

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

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

Chicago launches $200M RFP to power city facilities by renewable energy

Under the contract, all city-owned buildings, streetlights and facilities would run on renewable energy starting in 2022, supporting the city's climate goals. 

By Katie Pyzyk • Sept. 3, 2020

It’s time to reimagine a greener New York that mitigates extreme heat

The city should invest in more green infrastructure like parks, green roofs and street trees to tackle the health effects of extreme heat that disproportionately impact communities of color. 

By Cailin Crowe • Aug. 31, 2020

Smart water tech: The future of smart cities

technology must be integral to communities’ water infrastructure, as it is essential to achieving better management of this critical resource, offering real-time insights for protecting water quality and security, unlocking significant cost savings and even combating future pandemics

By Ari Goldfarb • Aug. 28, 2020

Senate Democrats reveal climate plan to achieve net-zero carbon economy

The report calls on Congress to spend at least 2% of annual U.S. GDP on climate actions and require federal regulators to ensure publicly-traded companies disclose climate risks.

By Catherine Morehouse • Aug. 27, 2020

Delaware transit agency to power electric buses with solar array

The Delaware Transit Corporation will install the 60,000-square-foot array at its facility in Dover, where it will power the facility and charge electric buses.

By Katie Pyzyk • Aug. 26, 2020

Louisiana governor puts state on path to net-zero emissions by 2050

Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards established a task force through an executive order tasked with interim goals of reducing emissions 26-28% by 2025 and 40-50% by 2030.

By Emma Penrod • Aug. 24, 2020

Public-private partnerships: Why governments can’t do it alone

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 a result of...

By Mark Howard • Aug. 24, 2020

How to rebuild trust with the public after failed public projects

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.In many co...

By Shaughnessy Daniels • Aug. 19, 2020

Navigating energy performance contracts: Lessons learned from the City of Jackson’s $90 million recovery for a failed water meter and billing system

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 city and co...

By John Johnson, Brian Boyle • Aug. 14, 2020

Northeast officials blast utilities after ‘wholly inadequate’ storm response

Hurricane Isaias brought Consolidated Edison, Eversource and other utilities their most power outages since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. 

By Catherine Morehouse • Updated Aug. 10, 2020

Mandated energy efficiency scores would influence home buying: ACEEE

An empirical study of how U.S. homeowners value energy efficiency information found that homebuyers are more likely to purchase an efficient home if that data is presented in a listing.

By Kristin Musulin • Aug. 6, 2020

San Diego turns off smart streetlights ahead of surveillance ordinance vote

Mayor Kevin Faulconer said the city had "no choice" but to turn the controversial technology off, days after it offered police to run the Smart Streetlights program.

By Chris Teale • Updated Sept. 14, 2020

GM, EVgo to triple fast charging network

The companies announced plans to add more than 2,700 new fast chargers in "highly visible areas" across 40 undisclosed metropolises. 

By Chris Teale • Aug. 3, 2020

EVs can be a grid asset if user experience is prioritized: SEPA

Utilities can use electric vehicles to more efficiently manage distribution grids, but experts on a Smart Electric Power Alliance panel Tuesday warned the focus must remain on the customer experience.

By Robert Walton • July 30, 2020

Hidden dangers: Our communities’ buildings turn toxic when they burn

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 year ...

By Kathleen Hetrick • July 27, 2020