The increasing desire for renewable energy sources as an alternative to fossil fuels has many utilities and communities looking to tap the earth's energy to power and heat homes.
"Tighter emissions controls and rising fuel costs are spurring demand for renewable energy, prompting utilities around the world to tap underground resources previously considered too costly to develop. Global geothermal capacity will rise as much as 10 percent a year through 2010, three times the pace of the past decade, the International Geothermal Association forecasts.
Geothermal plants, which use energy from hot springs or underground steam fields to produce power, are not affected by oil prices, which doubled in the past three years, and they face no emission penalties. Unlike wind- or solar-powered plants, they are not weather-dependent and can run 24 hours a day.
'We like geothermal,' said Stuart Hemphill, director of renewable and alternative energy at Southern California Edison, the biggest U.S. retailer of renewable energy in 2005. 'It's a very consistent, reliable source of renewable energy.' "
FULL STORY: Geothermal power moves ahead as reliable source of renewable energy

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.

Has President Trump Met His Match?
Doug Ford, the no-nonsense premier of Canada's most populous province, Ontario, is taking on Trump where it hurts — making American energy more expensive.

Study: London ULEZ Rapidly Cleaning up Air Pollution
Expanding the city’s ultra low-emission zone has resulted in dramatic drops in particle emissions in inner and outer London.

What the Proposed Federal Budget Means for Transit, Rail
The proposed FY 2025 budget keeps spending for public transit and passenger rail essentially the same as in 2024.

Disconnecting Communities: Measuring the Social Impacts of Freeways
Research from 50 major U.S. cities shows social connections are weakest in neighborhoods where highways are present.

San Jose Mayor Takes Dual Approach to Unsheltered Homeless Population
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