Bloomberg-backed accelerator to help cities meet renewable energy goals

The American Cities Climate Challenge Renewables Accelerator looks to help cities generate 2.8 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity.

By Chris Teale • Feb. 26, 2019

Seattle mayor proposes EV readiness requirement for all new buildings

Jenny Durkan said they should be equipped for EV charging, and a certain number of new parking spaces must have the wiring and outlets to be ready for chargers.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 21, 2019

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

Los Angeles scraps plan to rebuild 3 gas plants

The decision, which follows efforts to pursue an all-clean energy strategy by 2045, marks the end of a multi-year debate over the plan to invest $2.2 billion in gas-fired power plants.

By Robert Walton • Feb. 13, 2019

Google Fiber to leave Louisville, KY after installation setbacks

The company called its departure a "tough decision," with service to be deactivated on April 15 after a new construction method caused issues on city streets.

By Jason Plautz • Feb. 11, 2019

Green New Deal resolution calls for 100% zero-carbon power within 10 years

The plan would reportedly also call for a phase out of nuclear energy, which provides more than half of the zero-carbon electricity in the U.S. today.

By Gavin Bade • Feb. 8, 2019

Michigan governor cites extreme weather in signing clean energy order

Gretchen Whitmer, D, committed the state to the U.S. emissions reduction target under the Paris Climate Agreement, noting the urgency of her actions in the context of extreme weather events last week.

By Catherine Morehouse • Feb. 6, 2019

As solar-plus-storage surges, can smart devices help overcome deployment barriers?

As utilities move to reap the benefits of solar-plus-storage, manufacturing and interconnection barriers threaten to impede growth.

By Herman K. Trabish • Jan. 29, 2019

VC funding for storage, smart grid and efficiency companies almost doubled last year

Companies raised a combined $2.8 billion across the three areas in 2018,compared to $1.5 billion raised in 2017, driven by a steep rise in energy efficiency interest.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 23, 2019

A new lease on life for Holyoke, MA’s former coal-fired power plant

The Mount Tom Station was recently replaced by a solar farm with a three-megawatt battery storage system and 17,000 solar panels — the state's largest.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 22, 2019

Colorado Gov Polis’ first executive order advances transportation electrification

The benefits of vehicle electrification will only increase as the state moves toward establishing a 100% renewable energy mandate, Polis said.

By Catherine Morehouse • Jan. 18, 2019

EPA won’t freeze fuel economy standards as Wheeler faces confirmation vote

News of EPA's policy shift came during a testy nomination hearing where the acting administrator faced pressure from activists and Democrat senators on climate change. 

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 17, 2019

San Francisco considering municipal utility as PG&E prepares bankruptcy filing

The city government's retail water and power provider is planning for when PG&E files for Chapter 11 protections, "including possibility of acquiring or building electrical infrastructure assets."

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 15, 2019

Bloomberg names final 5 American Cities Climate Challenge winners

Albuquerque, NM; Austin, TX; Denver; Orlando, FL; and San Antonio will participate in the two-year acceleration program as part of a 25-city cohort.

By Chris Teale • Jan. 14, 2019

New Flyer wants to help cities, agencies transition to electric bus fleets

The bus manufacturer created a new business unit to offer project management and infrastructure guidance on transitioning to zero-emissions transit fleets.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 11, 2019

FirstNet reports 60% jump in subscribers, expanded coverage area

AT&T last year increased its LTE coverage area by more than 50,000 square miles, covering 1 million additional users. 

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 10, 2019

Colorado could save $2.5B through 2040 by replacing coal with clean energy: report

The study from Vibrant Clean Energy also found coal plant owners could recover up to $1.5 billion in undepreciated asset value if they facilitate a voluntary phased retirement of their facilities.

By Robert Walton • Jan. 10, 2019

US power sector carbon emissions jump as gas boom outpaces coal decline

The new Rhodium group report represents a worrying reversal for the electric utility industry, raising questions about whether its recent formula for emissions reductions has outlived its usefulness.

By Gavin Bade • Jan. 9, 2019

Boston transit authority adds to electric bus fleet

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority intends to add nearly 200 New Flyer hybrid buses to replace its aging fleet.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 9, 2019

APPA releases smart city roadmap for power utilities

The white paper from the American Public Power Association addresses topics including utilities' role in a smart city and cybersecurity.

By Katie Pyzyk • Jan. 9, 2019

US Census Bureau finds stark rural-urban broadband divide

A survey found that among counties where fewer than 60% of homes lacked broadband internet subscriptions, 88% were mostly or completely rural.

By Jason Plautz • Jan. 2, 2019

Our 10 best stories of 2018

After a jam-packed year of emerging trends, innovations, startups and partnerships, here are the top stories that shaped 2018.

By Kristin Musulin • Dec. 21, 2018

DC passes ‘most ambitious’ mandate for 100% renewables by 2032

The bill would put the District of Columbia on track to hit 100% renewables nearly a decade before any state.

By Catherine Morehouse • Dec. 19, 2018

As the impacts of power outages rise, the US must embrace smart grids

Without a transformation, the negative impacts of modern-day demands on the grid, and therefore negative impacts on commerce, will only continue to grow, writes Metal Toad's Sasha Friedman.

By Sasha Friedman • Dec. 18, 2018

Siemens: Cities are prioritizing electrification, but grid modernization is required

Siemens released a report that used the company's City Performance Tool to assess the status of electrification in 40 global cities.

By Chris Teale • Dec. 17, 2018

Tariffs prompt nearly 50% drop in US utility solar installations: Wood Mackenzie

Utility solar projects are getting delayed into the fourth quarter as project developers reacted to the January tariffs while trying to maximize advantage from the declining investment tax credit.

By Iulia Gheorghiu • Dec. 14, 2018