Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger acts to protect California's crumbling levee system for the Sacramento Delta. Emergency status allows work to progress without waiting for environmental review.
"Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency Friday for the Sacramento Delta levees, an action that could trigger up to $100 million in speedy repairs to the crumbling system...
Declaring a state of emergency allows the state to suspend environmental protection laws and contracting requirements so that it can quickly begin improving two dozen weakened levees spread over 85 miles of waterways along the Sacramento River and its tributaries...Democrats and environmental groups said Schwarzenegger misused his power to issue an emergency declaration and suggested the timing might be rooted in political considerations...
Because of the emergency action, the state can begin repair work without waiting for reviews mandated by the state's environmental protection law, officials said in a briefing Friday. Schwarzenegger's staff said he won't wait for voters to pass his bond to start construction."
FULL STORY: Gov. Moves to Fix California Levees
Manufactured Crisis: Losing the Nation’s Largest Source of Unsubsidized Affordable Housing
Manufactured housing communities have long been an affordable housing option for millions of people living in the U.S., but that affordability is disappearing rapidly. How did we get here?
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.
Minneapolis Bans Rent-Setting Software
Four cities have enacted restrictions on algorithmic software that can inflate rent costs.
Oakland to Add 244 New EV Chargers
Oakland plans to launch its new charging network at eight locations by the end of 2025.
Jane Goodall Inspires with Message of Hope, Resilience, and Environmental Action
Speaking in Pasadena, Jane Goodall offered a hopeful and inspirational message, urging global compassion, environmental responsibility, and the power of individual action to shape a better future.
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