To reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25% below 1990 levels by 2020, Massachusetts hopes to tap federal funds to help enact a 'Pay As You Drive' auto insurance program to reduce transportation emissions.
"Data released by state officials on Wednesday (Dec. 29) indicate that more than one-third of the total greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions in Massachusetts - 33 million metric tons in 2007 - come from the transportation sector. As part of the plan, Mr. Bowles (Secretary of Energy and Environmental Affairs) said, the state will start a pilot program giving drivers an incentive to cut back on unnecessary travel by linking car-insurance premiums to miles driven - a 'Pay As You Drive' program.
Congress has authorized $15 million in federal Transportation Department grants for such programs, money that could be used to ensure that lower-income drivers do not suffer an unequal burden."
The targets for the MA plan are 25% than that of California's AB 32, that call for reaching 1990 GHG emissions levels by 2020. MA will continue to engage in carbon trading for power plants through the northeast Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative.
FULL STORY: Massachusetts Sets Targets to Slash Carbon Emissions

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.
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.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
City of Moreno Valley
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service
City of Cambridge, Maryland