Philadelphia has renewed its efforts to improve energy efficiency in non-residential building to contribute to its Paris Climate Agreement commitment.
Philadelphia Mayor Jim Kenney signed two pieces of environmental legislation this week, in support of the city's Paris Climate Agreement goals to reduce carbon emissions by 25 percent by 2025.
"The first piece of legislation creates a Building Energy Performance Program requiring non-residential buildings 50,000 square feet or larger — about 2,000 buildings — to undergo a high-energy performance inspection, submit a certification to the Office of Sustainability and conduct recommended "tune ups," or retrocommissioning," reports Katie Pyzyk.
The legislation was approved the same week as the release of the city's latest energy benchmarking report [pdf]. "The benchmarking report shows that Philadelphia's buildings experienced a 12% drop in greenhouse gas emissions and 5% decrease in energy use since 2013," according to Pyzyk.
FULL STORY: Philly mayor signs laws to boost big building efficiency, phase out dirty fuel
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Countries Underreport Greenhouse Gas Emissions
A Washington Post investigation found major discrepancies between actual emissions and the levels reported to the United Nations.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
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Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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