Droughts are causing many Georgia municipalities to tightly restrict water use, but just across the border in Alabama is a city that has plenty of water to spare.
"In a desert of drought that has engulfed Georgia, Alabama and Florida, heating up a gubernatorial water war, Phenix City is a kind of oasis. Just across the river from Columbus, there are no watering restrictions in the Alabama city of 27,000."
"While Columbus residents are banned from watering everything but food gardens, people in Phenix City are allowed to use the 7 million gallons of water it pumps out of the Chattahoochee River every day for whatever they want."
"In essence, Phenix City's director of utilities Greg Glass said Phenix City's loss of industry has reduced the city's water intake from 12 million gallons to 7 million gallons a day. So they've already cut their water usage significantly, whether they wanted to or not."
"But a funny thing seems to be happening in Phenix City. By most accounts, people are conserving - either because they are confused about the law or they want to be a good Southern citizen."
FULL STORY: Across river, Phenix City water use unrestricted

Americans May Be Stuck — But Why?
Americans are moving a lot less than they once did, and that is a problem. While Yoni Applebaum, in his highly-publicized article Stuck, gets the reasons badly wrong, it's still important to ask: why are we moving so much less than before?

Using Old Oil and Gas Wells for Green Energy Storage
Penn State researchers have found that repurposing abandoned oil and gas wells for geothermal-assisted compressed-air energy storage can boost efficiency, reduce environmental risks, and support clean energy and job transitions.

Placekeeping: Setting a New Precedent for City Planners
How a preservation-based approach to redevelopment and urban design can prevent displacement and honor legacy communities.

San Francisco’s Muni Ridership Grew in 2024
The system saw its highest ridership since before the Covid-19 pandemic, but faces a severe budget shortage in the coming year.

Colorado Lawmakers Move to Protect BRT Funding
In the face of potential federal funding cuts, CDOT leaders reasserted their commitment to planned bus rapid transit projects.

Safe Streets Funding in Jeopardy
The Trump administration is specifically targeting bike infrastructure and other road safety projects in its funding cuts.
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