Renewable Energy
Squeezing Juice from Brownfields
Communities across the country are trying to reuse contaminated brownfields as sites for the production of clean energy.
Google Invests in Wind Power
Internet search giant Google has announced plans for the long-term purchase of power produced by a 100 megawatt wind power plant being built in Oklahoma.
Will Safety Concerns Curb the Spread of Wind Power?
Speigel Online reports that wind turbines are proving to be prone to breakdowns and accidents. In Europe, the wind business is booming, but growing concern about safety could put a crimp in the growing industry.
Wind Farms Buoyed By Obama Administration
The Obama administration yesterday announced that it would put $50 million dollars into speeding up the process to get offshore wind farms built along the Atlantic coast.
Renewable Energy Growing Fast, But Still A Tiny Percentage
Renewable energy is still only 2.3% of the U.S. energy production. David Biello asks, can renewables be ramped up in time to combat global warming?
S.F. to Shutter Lone Fossil Fuel Power Plant
After years of debate, San Francisco plans to close the diesel- and natural gas-burning Potrero Hill Plant, one of the dirtiest facilities in California, by January 1, reports John Coté.
Long Topped By AC, DC is Key to Renewable Energy
Alternating current (AC) beat out direct current (DC) because it worked well over short distances. But direct current is significantly easier to control on a smart grid and travels better, says Herman J. Trabish.
Making Space for Solar Power in Davis
The California city spent years cultivating an urban forest for shade and cooling benefits, which now presents a unique challenge to tapping the area's solar potential. A new company has a solution.
Cape Wind: Did Enthusiasm Trump Reality?
A controversial $2.5 B wind farm planned off the shores of Cape Cod is touted by supporters as a way to jumpstart the state's green economy. Beth Daley argues the project was rushed to the drawing board despite not making economic sense.
Solar Power Gains Cost Advantage Over Nuclear
Diana Powers reports that the cost of solar photovoltaic panels has declined "to the point where they are lower than the rising projected costs of new nuclear plants, according to a paper published this month."
Jerry Brown's Energy Revolution, Part Two
Former California Governor (and current gubernatorial candidate) Jerry Brown may be the only person able to give the state a clean energy policy -- mainly because he's already done it before, according to this article.
Renewable Energy Convergence
One source of renewable energy isn't going to cut it; the future is in using multiple sources, and even combining them in a single power plant, says blogger jnshere.
Fossil Fuels Getting Massive Federal Subsidies, Renewables Not So Much
President Obama has proposed eliminating federal subsidies for fossil fuels in 2011, but for now they're still a $72 billion piece of the pie. Solar, wind and geothermal? $12.2 billion.
Government Plans Vertical Garden on Portland Skyscraper
As part of a $133 million renovation of a federal building in Portland, the Government Services Administration plans to add 200-foot high "vegetated fins" that will carpet the building with plants and - hopefully - energy savings.
Arizona Eyes a Nuclear Future
Arizona Governor Jan Brewer has come out as a strong proponent of bringing nuclear power back into the state's energy fold.
Where There's a Will...
A Stanford professor and a UC Davis researcher say we could make the switch to 100% renewable energy by 2030... if we really want to.
How Water Affects Renewable Energy
Renewable energy production takes a lot of water. With droughts and shortages plaguing many areas, the limited supply could crimp the ability of renewable energy providers to create green energy.
The Hawaiian Energy Islands
The islands of Hawaii are proving to be a laboratory for renewable energy projects, playing host to a variety of pilot projects that could end up paving the way for the rest of the country's transition to an energy menu with more renewable options.
More Renewable Energy = More Acreage
As the push for renewable energy increases, The Nature Conservancy points out that renewables need a lot of land to work and could cause "energy sprawl."
Renewable Energy Goes Small and Wide
Small scale hydroelectricity projects are popping up all over the country, especially in remote and environmentally sensitive places.
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.
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
