Energy

Can Insurance Markets Jump-Start Resilience?

Risk-management experts are seeking creative ways to finance resilience investments that prevent damage from natural disasters. Insurance markets, with their direct stake in protecting homes and businesses, can be key partners in this effort.

March 24, 2017 - Doggerel

Wind Turbines

Surprising Trump Effect: Many States Seek to Ramp-Up Renewable Energy Mandates

As President Trump rolls back climate and energy regulations, many states are attempting to require utilities to get more power from renewable sources. Also, fewer states are attempting to reduce or eliminate renewable energy requirements.

March 24, 2017 - E&E News [Subscription]

Coal Mining and Power Station

Carbon Entering the Atmosphere at Highest Rate Yet

Even if carbon emissions are reaching a "plateau," that still represents an unprecedented amount of the gas entering the atmosphere every year.

March 22, 2017 - The Washington Post

China Solar

12 'World Changing Ideas'

Fast Company recently recognized the best ideas in social impact.

March 21, 2017 - Fast Company

For Fracking's Sake, Another 'Burdensome' Environmental Regulation Repealed

The first and only federal regulation overseeing the controversial practice of hydraulic fracturing on federal lands has been withdrawn upon orders issued by Ryan Zinke, the Secretary of the Interior.

March 20, 2017 - E&E News [Subscription]

Renewable Energy

Meet the Organizations Bringing Equity to the Clean Energy Sector

A clean environment isn't the only benefit of clean energy. Clean energy jobs are also providing economic mobility for many of the 3 million people employed in the industry.

March 19, 2017 - Next City

Brooklyn Program a Leader in 'Microgrid' Electricity Generation

About 50 property owners in the trendiest of New York boroughs have launched a fledgling solar microgrid—sometimes called distributed or peer-to-peer generation. Someday, such arrangements could put a huge dent in the utility industry.

March 17, 2017 - The New York Times

Canadian Prime Minister Wins Award for Being Pro-Oil Sands and Pro-Environment

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is treading a fine line between supporting the economy of oil-sands dependent western Canada and fighting climate change, as impossible as that might sound. His efforts were rewarded by the energy industry.

March 14, 2017 - CBC News

Scott Pruitt

EPA Administrator Transitions from Climate Change Skeptic to Denier

Perhaps there never really was much difference between 'skepticism' and 'denial'. Scott Pruitt certainly proved that on Thursday when he answered CNBC's Joe Kernen's question if carbon emissions are the primary cause of climate change.

March 13, 2017 - CNBC

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Popular Energy Star Program on The Budget Chopping Block

As details emerge from the Trump Administration's draft budget proceedings, more programs of relevance to the planning profession are queued up for the chopping block. The budget is still far from a done deal, however.

March 11, 2017 - E&E News

Pumping Gas

Legal Loophole Will Allow Rollback of Fuel Efficiency Standards

On Tuesday, the Trump administration anticipates unraveling two signature Obama environmental regulations: fuel efficiency standards for model year 2022-2025 light-duty vehicles and beginning the undoing of the Clean Power Plan.

March 7, 2017 - The New York Times

EPA Administrator Withdraws Methane Emissions Requirement

No surprise here. Scott Pruitt agreed with nine state attorney generals, including his replacement in Oklahoma, to reverse a request enacted by his predecessor to require oil and gas drillers to record information on the release of methane emissions.

March 6, 2017 - The Washington Post

Silicon Valley

California Investing In 'Transformative Climate Communities'

The California Strategic Growth Council has $140 million in cap-and-trade revenue for the new Transformative Climate Community program. The aim of the program is to catalyze environmental and economic investment in disadvantaged communities.

March 5, 2017 - The Planning Report

Minneapolis

Big Idea: A National Park in Downtown Minneapolis

Details of a proposal to create a national park at one of the Twin Cities' region most popular destinations: the lock and dam at the Upper St. Anthony Falls, on the Mississippi River where it flows through Minneapolis.

March 3, 2017 - MinnPost

Trump

Trump Targets Obama's Signature Environmental Rule, the Clean Power Plan

The first environmental regulation to be rescinded under President Trump was the Stream Protection Rule. It will not be the last. The president has his eyes on a rule that limits greenhouse gas emissions from existing power plants.

February 23, 2017 - The Washington Post

Gas Pump

What if Oil Is About to Have a Coal Moment?

It's always good to be wary of wishful thinking, but it's also a good idea to consider of what the world might look like ten to 20 years from now.

February 17, 2017 - Treehugger

Coal Mine

Remember Trump's Pledge to Save Coal Jobs?

The West's largest coal power plant and two Ohio coal plants will be closing, and the coal mines that supply them may shutter as well. The Arizona utility "is tired of overpaying for power," words that surely the president should understand.

February 16, 2017 - The Washington Post - Energy and Environment

Dakota Access Pipeline

Army Corps to Grant Permit for Completion of Dakota Access Pipeline

Elections have consequences. Per a Jan. 24 executive memo, the Army Corps of Engineers indicated that it will grant Dakota Access LLC the final permit to tunnel under the Missouri River and complete the controversial pipeline.

February 9, 2017 - The Washington Post - Energy and Environment

National Monuments

Revoking a National Monument Not Easy, Even with Republican Congress

But that's no reason not to try, figures Republican Rep. Rob Bishop of Utah, chair of the powerful House Natural Resources Committee, who has his sights on the Bears Ears National Monument, barely a month old.

February 8, 2017 - NPR

The Forbidden City

Spare the Air: Beijing to Drastically Reduce Coal Use

Beijing promises "extraordinary" measures to reduce pollution in the infamously smoggy city.

February 6, 2017 - Scientific American

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.

Top Books

An annual review of books related to planning.

Top Schools

The definitive ranking of graduate planning programs.

100 Most Influential Urbanists

The who's who of urbanism, according to Planetizen readers.

Urban Planning Creators You Should Know

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