Energy

Car Production Line

Auto Industry Reluctant to Support Trump Plan to Freeze Fuel Economy Standards

The auto industry appears to be balking at supporting the Trump administration's plan to freeze vehicle emission standards at 2020 levels even though they initially asked Trump to loosen the rigorous Obama-era fuel efficiency rule that goes to 2026.

March 10, 2019 - The Washington Post

Youth Protest

The Climate Change Lawsuit That Won't Go Away

The now-famous children's lawsuit, featured on 60 Minutes last Sunday, was not filed against President Trump—he just inherited it from his predecessor. Both administrations have tried to have the case dismissed.

March 6, 2019 - CBS News: 60 Minutes

Commuter Traffic

Gas Prices and Vehicle Miles Traveled Analyzed Since 2000

Urban economist Joe Cortright examines the connection between gas prices and driving in the U.S. over the last two decades. Prices matter: increased gas prices results in decreased driving, providing the prices persist for the long-term.

March 4, 2019 - CityLab

ng1_3717

Renewables Accelerator to Help Cities With Transition to Clean Energy

Cities across the country have ambitious goals to move to renewable energy, but support at the federal level is lacking. A new program will assist cities with procurement and regulation of renewables.

March 1, 2019 - Smart Cities Dive

recycling

Recyclables Headed to Incinerators or Landfills

China's decision to halt imports of most recyclables from the United States has caused turmoil. With few markets for their recyclables, Philadelphia is sending half of them to a waste-to-energy incinerator in Chester not designed to burn them.

March 1, 2019 - The Guardian

Timber Production

Seattle Could Be at the Forefront of the Mass Timber Industry

Cross-laminated timber offers a multitude of environmental and economic benefits. With the state’s resources and Seattle’s construction needs, the city is the ideal location for mass timber production to take off.

February 25, 2019 - The Urbanist

Metropolitan Detention Center

White House Ends Talks with California Over Fuel Efficiency Standards

Ending the talks means litigation will have to settle the conflict over the two standards: California and 12 other states continue to use the Obama-era standard of 36 mpg by 2025, while the administration's rule freezes standards at 2020, or 29 mpg.

February 25, 2019 - The Washington Post

Seattle, Washington

Electric Vehicle-Ready Parking Proposed for All New Seattle Buildings

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan proposed new electric vehicle parking requirements in the recent State of the City address, but the proposal is in keeping with the Seattle Climate Action Plan released in April 2018.

February 24, 2019 - Smart Cities Dive

China Solar

Report Compares Emissions from Hundreds of Global Cities

The study gathers emissions reporting data from cities around the world.

February 23, 2019 - Tennessean

Coal Mining

Coal, a Campaign Promise Unfulfilled

President Trump still touts coal and its return, but what’s happening in the real world suggests coal is on its way out for good.

February 22, 2019 - Intelligencer - New York Magazine

Transportation Network Company

Lyft Goes Greener With EVs

Lyft will add electric vehicles to its rental fleet and offer riders the option to request hybrid and electric vehicles.

February 20, 2019 - mbg planet

Kaiser LEED Certified Building

Taking the Carbon Emissions Out of Buildings

Much of the focus on decreasing carbon emissions is on the electrical grid and vehicles. But, buildings are a huge contributor, and California is leading the way in making electrification a priority.

February 19, 2019 - Vox

Dockweiler State Beach

L.A. Collects Green Bonafides By Canceling Plans for Natural Gas Power

The bell tolls for the Scattergood, Harbor, and Haynes power plants, after Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti promises a transition to renewable energy. The city was going to spend $5 billion to transition to natural gas.

February 15, 2019 - Los Angeles Daily News

Oregon State Capitol Building

Oregon Democrats Unveil Cap-and-Trade Bill

A new bill in the Oregon Legislature, technically called a "legislative concept," would set up a California-style cap-and-trade program, calling for steep greenhouse gas emission reductions by 2035 and 2050.

February 12, 2019 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

Lincoln Heights Los Angeles

Updated: What the Green New Deal Means for Planning

The Green New Deal is far from the law of the land, but if this nation were to adopt the legislative agenda proposed by congressional Democrats, it would (and should) have major implications for planning practice.

February 11, 2019 - Slate

Power Plants

The New World Leader in the Fight Against Climate Change

With the Trump administration's abdication of its predecessor's position on fighting climate change, a void has been left in global climate change leadership. One expert believes that China may have already filled the leadership role.

February 8, 2019 - PBS NewsHour

Capitol Hill

Green New Deal Resolution Introduced in Congress

Sen. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) introduced a House resolution to tackle climate change that calls for the nation to become carbon neutral by 2030, an ambitious goal, but is it realistic?

February 8, 2019 - The Washington Post

California Houses

A Comprehensive Survey of the Scope and Effects of Land Use Policy in California

A survey of land use policies in cities and counties of California is designed to inform a more complete understanding of the housing market, sustainability, and economic mobility in the state.

February 6, 2019 - UC Berkeley College of Environmental Design

Lake Mead

Colorado River Deal Fails—Feds Step In

California and Arizona couldn't come to terms on a drought contingency plan for the Colorado River, compelling the Department of the Interior to act.

February 2, 2019 - KQED

Boston City Scene

'Carbon Free Boston' Puts Priority on Land Use and Transportation Planning

"It's all about cars and houses," according to the Boston Globe.

January 31, 2019 - Th Boston Globe

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.

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The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

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A short list of voices on social, video, and podcasting platforms.