Environment
Desalination Projects Get a Big Boost in California
Desalination is often suggested as a potential panacea for California's ongoing struggles with drought. The catch in the announcement of $34.4 million in state funding for desalination projects shows why desalination is not there yet.
Gov. Jerry Brown Calls for Five Million ZEVs on California Roads by 2030
The executive order calls for $2.5 billion for rebates and electric charging and hydrogen fueling stations, subject to approval by legislature. His earlier executive order called for 1.5 million zero-emission vehicles by 2025.
Gov. Jerry Brown's 16th and Final State of the State
Infrastructure, climate change, and natural disasters were among the themes of the California governor's final address to the legislature and public. Two of his accomplishments, high-speed rail and increasing the gas tax, face uncertain futures.
Will Anybody Drill for Oil in the Pacific Northwest, Now That They Can?
Now that the Trump Administration has reopened the U.S. coastlines to oil and gas extraction, it's unclear whether anyone will take up the opportunity in the Pacific Northwest.
A Planning and Economic Development Quandary in Fresno
Should cities with some of the worst air pollution in the country be adding massive campuses for logistics and heavy industries?
South Carolinians Still on the Hook for Failed Nuclear Plants
“It has to be one of the greatest wastes of money in any state’s history,” Alan Greenblatt writes.
Energy Transformation Predicted in 12 Years
By 2030, the world's consumption of oil will drop due to increasing electric vehicle sales, according to a report by Bank of America. Other researchers disagree on the timeframe. The report is useful for highlighting the term, "peak oil demand."
Study Finds Big Pay Off for Resilient Buildings Investments
The economic case for investments in resilience just got a lot stronger.
Meet the Online Platform for Selling Off Public Lands
EnergyNet auctions off oil and gas leases for state and federal lands—and business is booming under the Trump Administration.
'Electric Charge Network' to Install 7,500 New Charging Stations in California
One of California's three investor-owned utilities has announced an electric vehicle charging infrastructure program that will spend $130 million through 2020.
Mass Resignations From National Park Service Advisory Board
Nine out of 12 members of the National Park Service advisory board resigned this week, saying that the Department of the Interior "showed no interest in learning about or continuing to use the forward-thinking agenda of science," among other claims.
Legislation to Ban Traffic Cameras Creates Odd Political Alliances
Republicans and the American Civil Liberties Union back bills to ban red light and speed cameras in Iowa, while Democrats and law enforcement want to allow cities and counties to retain automated traffic-enforcement tools.
Why Zinke Gave Florida a Break on Drilling
After announcing the coast of almost all states would be open for oil and gas production, the Secretary of the Interior changed his mind on one after meeting with Trump’s favored candidate for Senate.
Residents Move Into America's First Solar Powered Town
Residents will live in solar powered homes and ride around the community in self-driving, solar-powered shuttles. Babcock Ranch outside of Fort Myers, Florida, has been in the making since 2005. A city of 50,000 is forecasted.
Pittsburgh Hoping to Improve its Winter Storm Recovery Efforts
The city of Pittsburgh is responding to complaints by residents of poor road conditions after snow and ice coated the city's rad this week.
The 'Wide-Ranging Ecological Downside' of Road Salt
A study from the USGS using five decades of data shows salinity and alkalinity are up in waterways across the United States.
Largest Desalinated Water Reserve Ever Unveiled in Abu Dhabi
The UAE has created a storage facility under the desert that can provide up to 100 million liters per day in the event of an emergency.
'No Driving Day' in Seoul Means Free Transit Rides
South Korea has made public transit a key part of its approach to cleaning the air.
Trial Over San Francisco Waterfront Development Height Limits Begins
The State Lands Commission filed suit shortly after San Francisco voters approved Prop. B in June 2014, requiring waterfront developments exceeding height limits to obtain voter approval rather than go through the Planning Commission process.
The Real Benefits of Congestion Pricing
Like so many other transportation policies, congestion pricing risks being sold for the wrong reasons.
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
