Energy

Community Solar, an Alternative Energy Win-Win
Across the country, community solar is taking off and making the financial and environmental benefits of solar energy more accessible.

New Developments Must Be EV Ready in Seattle
It's not the same as requiring that all new development have charging facilities and parking spots for electric vehicles, but it's close.

Department of Interior Plans to Open 1 Million Acres in California to Fracking
The Bakersfield Office of the Bureau of Land Management released an environmental study that is the basis for undoing a 2013 de facto moratorium on fracking on federal lands in California. The Supplemental EIS triggers a 45-day public comment period.

Republicans Block Virginia from Joining Regional Cap-and-Trade Program
The Virginia Air Pollution Control Board approved a cap-and-trade policy for utilities to join the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, but Republicans added language in the state budget bill to prevent it.

An Energy Efficient Makeover for D.C.-Area Public Transit
D.C. Metro has a plan to reduce carbon emissions and energy consumption by building to LEED green building standards and buying electric buses.

Another Big City Announces Sweeping Energy Plans for Buildings
San Francisco and New York City made a theme of this year's Earth Day: mandating emissions reductions from buildings.

Judge Halts Sales of New Coal Mining Leases on Federal Lands
Once again, the president's efforts to undo his predecessor's environmental legacy were thwarted by a court ruling. In this case, the Interior Department's failure to conduct an environmental review of a Trump executive order ran afoul of NEPA.

NYC Targets Buildings for Massive Emissions Reduction Effort
Last week, the New York City Council approved some of the most substantial climate change legislation to date by a city in the United States—call it the local example of the Green New Deal.

World's Largest Concentrating Solar-Thermal Plant Plan a No-Go
Developers have withdrawn an application to build the world's largest concentrating solar-thermal power facility.

Chicago Sets Goal for 100 Percent Clean Energy by 2040
A non-binding resolution is a small step in the direction of clean energy.

Trump Signs Two Executive Orders Limiting States' Authority Over Energy Pipelines
The Trump administration's "energy dominance" agenda depends, in part, on growing the energy distribution network, namely pipelines, rail facilities, and ports. However, states can use the Clean Water Act to block pipelines and coal terminals.

No Good News for Climate Stabilization From a New Worldwide Energy Report
Last month, the Paris-based International Energy Agency released its annual "Global Energy & CO2 Status Report." Energy consumption grew 2.3 percent with fossil fuels accounting for 70 percent on the increase. CO2 emissions jumped 1.7 percent.

Royal Dutch Shell: Big Oil with a Conscience?
Big Oil companies are not all alike. Royal Dutch Shell is the first one to part ways with a major oil industry trade group over differences on climate change. It's also linking executive pay to goals to reduce the company's carbon footprint.

The Local Green Building Policies Showing the Way for the Green New Deal
The heating and cooling of buildings must be addressed if the United States is going to curb its emissions.

N.Y.C. Saving Money With Electric Vehicles
The price of electric cars is dropping, and this together with lower lifetime costs makes them a good alternative for vehicle fleets.

Report: Most U.S. Coal Plants Uncompetitive with Renewables
The report heralds increased shuttering of coal-burning powered plants due to cheaper alternatives. Almost three-quarters of coal-burning power plants today are more costly to operate than renewable facilities. In six years, it jumps to 86 percent.
Court Overrules U.S. EPA in Baltimore Runoff Case
Environmentalists challenged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and won.

Senate Votes 0–57 to Rebuff Green New Deal
Not one Democratic senator, including sponsor Ed Markey (Mass.), voted on Tuesday to support the resolution "recognizing the duty of the Federal Government to create a Green New Deal." Instead, most, but not all, Democrats voted "present."

Replacing Diesel-Powered Trucks With Natural Gas, Hybrid, and Battery Power
The U.S. Department of Energy, in partnership with the California Energy Commission and the South Coast Air Quality Management District, awarded $18 million to nine companies and universities to advance natural gas technology for trucks.

A New Look at Causes and Effects of Pollution, From Production to Consumption
Research shows racial disparities in exposure to air pollution as well as consumption of the goods and services that cause it.
Pagination
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
EMC Planning Group, Inc.
Planetizen
Planetizen
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service