The city will evaluate all buildings over 50,000 square feet and make the energy performance ratings and information easily accessible.

Chicago has launched a new Energy Rating System for the city’s larger buildings. "The buildings will be provided with placards illustrating their energy performance on a zero to four-star scale, which they are required to display on-site and report at the time of building sale or lease," reports Katie Pyzyk.
The program is a way to encourage building owners to explore strategies to boost the energy efficiency of buildings and to make information publicly available. "Large buildings are one of the most significant contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. Chicago estimates buildings account for about 72% of the city's greenhouse gas emissions," notes Pyzyk.
Chicago’s Energy Rating System is part of a larger commitment to shift the city to renewable energy by 2035. Other plans include transitioning the Chicago Transit Authority’s bus fleet to electrification and decreasing the city’s overall emissions in accordance with goals outlined in the Paris Agreement.
FULL STORY: Chicago implements energy rating system for buildings

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How architecture and urban landscapes reflect the trauma and dysfunction of the post-war experience.

‘Complete Streets’ Webpage Deleted in Federal Purge
Basic resources and information on building bike lanes and sidewalks, formerly housed on the government’s Complete Streets website, are now gone.

The VW Bus is Back — Now as an Electric Minivan
Volkswagen’s ID. Buzz reimagines its iconic Bus as a fully electric minivan, blending retro design with modern technology, a 231-mile range, and practical versatility to offer a stylish yet functional EV for the future.

Healing Through Parks: Altadena’s Path to Recovery After the Eaton Fire
In the wake of the Eaton Fire, Altadena is uniting to restore Loma Alta Park, creating a renewed space for recreation, community gathering, and resilience.

San Diego to Rescind Multi-Unit ADU Rule
The city wants to close a loophole that allowed developers to build apartment buildings on single-family lots as ADUs.

Electric Vehicles for All? Study Finds Disparities in Access and Incentives
A new UCLA study finds that while California has made progress in electric vehicle adoption, disadvantaged communities remain underserved in EV incentives, ownership, and charging access, requiring targeted policy changes to advance equity.
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City of Albany
UCLA Lewis Center for Regional Policy Studies
Mpact (formerly Rail~Volution)
Chaddick Institute at DePaul University
City of Piedmont, CA
Great Falls Development Authority, Inc.
HUDs Office of Policy Development and Research