U.S. Department of Energy

The Political Battle Over a Half-Built Nuclear Plant in South Carolina

Included among a budget proposal that likely won't go anywhere, the Obama Administration is recommending the end of a project that would create nuclear power by dismantling nuclear weapons.

February 10, 2016 - The New York Times

What's Wrong With the Ethanol Mandate?

A former EPA official makes the case in a New York Times op-ed that the ethanol mandate, a major issue in Monday's presidential caucus in Iowa, the nation's top corn producer, is implemented so poorly that it is not benefiting the environment.

February 2, 2016 - The New York Times - The Opinion Pages

President Obama's Most Important Energy Efficiency Standard Unveiled

Just in time for winter, the U.S. Department of Energy released a standard to make heating and cooling in commercial buildings far more efficient, increasing minimum efficiency by 10 to 25 percent.

December 21, 2015 - The Washington Post

First West Coast LNG Export Facility Gets Critical Federal OK

On Sept. 30, the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the final environmental impact statement for a contentious $7.5 billion Liquefied Natural Gas export facility, pipeline, and power plant in Coos Bay, Ore. More approvals are still needed.

October 6, 2015 - Portland Business Journal

First Responders Not Prepared for Oil Train Explosions Despite Emergency Order

Notwithstanding an emergency order DOT issued on May 7 that railroads must provide cities oil train information, secrecy continues to cloak the transport of hazardous oil shipments leaving first responders ill-prepared to handle fiery explosions.

May 24, 2014 - The Wall Street Journal

Amsterdam Electric Car

An Electric Car the CEO Doesn't Want You to Buy

Please, don't buy the Fiat 500 E, stated Fiat Chrysler Automobiles CEO Sergio Marchionne during his presentation on a Brookings panel on May 20. It's not because it's a bad car—it's because his company loses $14,000 on every sale.

May 23, 2014 - The Detroit News

DOE Clears Way for First Nuclear Construction in 30 Years

Energy Secretary Ernest Moniz is expected to announce final approval for an $8.3 billion loan guarantee for the first nuclear reactors to be built in the united States in more than three decades.

February 19, 2014 - National Journal

West Coast’s First Offshore Wind Energy Coming to Oregon

The West Coast’s first offshore wind project will use floating turbine technology not found in North America. The 5-turbine project near Coos Bay in Oregon is the first offshore wind energy for the West Coast.

February 6, 2014 - AP for the Oregonian

New Reports Show Wind Power Growing at Full Sail

Two new reports published by the Department of Energy detail the remarkable rise in wind power in the United States. Energy derived from the wind can now power more than 15 millions homes.

August 22, 2013 - Fast Company Co.Exist

Little-Noticed Rule Change May Be Big Statement of Obama's Climate Agenda

The DoE recently updated its energy-efficiency standards for microwaves. Big deal, right? Actually, observes Brad Plumer, by upping the 'social cost of carbon' used to calculate the benefits of the rule, the government has made a big shift.

June 6, 2013 - The Washington Post

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.