Climate funding takes hit in California governor’s 2024 budget proposal

Transit funding, however, was relatively unscathed in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s proposed 2024-25 fiscal year budget, which represents $20 billion in cuts from last year.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 11, 2024

How 3 states are attacking carbon emissions from transportation

While 21 states sued the federal government over its new rule requiring transportation emission reduction targets, others are forging ahead to clean up this sector.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 8, 2024

NYC starts first compliance period for building emissions reduction law

Even though 89% of covered buildings are set to meet 2024 emissions targets, building owners must act promptly to achieve 2030 goals, experts say. 

By Nish Amarnath • Jan. 4, 2024

Transportation tech, challenges on agenda for new US DOT advisory committee

The wide range of experts will advise the agency in what Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg called a time of “unprecedented” challenges and opportunity.

By Dan Zukowski • Jan. 4, 2024

EPA invests $600M in support of thousands of environmental justice projects

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.The federa...

By Andy Castillo • Jan. 4, 2024

‘COP28 must be the COP of cities’: Local leaders want fossil fuel phaseout, collaboration

Financing for local climate action is top of mind for some city leaders at the summit. C40 Cities’ cochairs demanded in a letter that nations redirect fossil fuel subsidies toward the clean energy transition. 

By Ysabelle Kempe • Dec. 1, 2023

US DOT announces $1.5B round of RAISE grants for 2024

The Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity program supports road, rail, transit and port projects, and is open to a wide range of applicants.

By Dan Zukowski • Dec. 1, 2023

House Republicans support high-speed rail but not California’s project

Members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee largely supported passenger and high-speed rail in a Wednesday hearing but split along party lines about California's $128 billion project.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 30, 2023

Biden administration sets new rule for monitoring on-road GHG emissions

The Federal Highway Administration rule requires states and metropolitan planning organizations to establish CO2 emissions reductions targets, setting up a fight with congressional Republicans.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 29, 2023

EPA opens $2B in funding for climate resilience, environmental justice projects

In the national push toward climate resilience, investing in a way that’s equitable for everyone is an important consideration—and one the federal government is currently prioritizing.

By Andy Castillo • Nov. 27, 2023

What’s top of mind for New York’s first customer experience officer

About a month into the job, Tonya Webster discussed her priorities and how she plans to overcome siloed agency processes.

By Kristen Doerer • Nov. 22, 2023

FTA proposes tighter rules for state oversight of rail transit systems

The proposal would give state safety oversight agencies new authority and responsibilities to ensure the safety of public rail transportation.

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 20, 2023

NLC City Summit stresses the importance of local government

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Atlanta Ma...

By Michelle Havich • Nov. 17, 2023

Generative AI is here. This is how 5 cities plan to manage its use.

Guidelines aim to help government employees navigate the use of generative artificial intelligence tools while maintaining privacy, ethics and city values.

By Paige Gross • Nov. 16, 2023

Report: Local governments lead the way in implementing climate policy in California

Among all U.S. states, California is at the forefront in the national push toward decarbonization, often leading the way with ambitious goals and novel adaptation solutions.

By Andy Castillo • Nov. 15, 2023

3 steps for getting urban innovation pilots out of ‘purgatory’

A road map for New York City recommends taking a “challenge-based” approach to procurement and beefing up startup infrastructure.

By Paige Gross • Nov. 15, 2023

Fifth National Climate Assessment warns of extreme weather risk, far-reaching impact of a warming climate

Exacerbated by climate change, the effects of extreme weather are being felt in every corner of the nation—costing communities upwards of $150 billion annually. Those impacts are projected to worsen without dramatic intervention.

By Andy Castillo • Nov. 14, 2023

Report: Employers intend to downsize further as questions about office space utilization linger

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.Coming out...

By Andy Castillo • Nov. 13, 2023

Solving veteran homelessness: The pursuit of ‘functional zero’

Solving veteran homelessness: The pursuit of ‘functional zero’

By Andy Castillo • Nov. 10, 2023

Meet Houston’s first emergency preparedness manager for vulnerable communities

Houstonians with disabilities have previously been unable to access emergency shelters and evacuation plans due to limited emergency preparedness outreach, a city official said.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 10, 2023

Lack of funding still stands in the way of California’s local climate policy

This finding in a report released Thursday is “very surprising” considering recent historic federal and state investments, said a co-author at the University of California Berkeley’s Center for Law, Energy and the Environment.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Nov. 9, 2023

Local governments are likely to find the next generation of their workforces at community colleges

Editor's note: This article was originally published in American City & County, which has merged with Smart Cities Dive to bring you expanded coverage of city innovation and local government. For the latest in smart city news, explore Smart Cities Dive or sign up for our newsletter.There are ...

By Michael Keating • Nov. 6, 2023

Cities tackle rising pedestrian deaths

Experts cite risky, distracted and impaired driving — as well as less traffic enforcement — as factors sending pedestrian fatalities to new highs. Can new funding reverse the tide?

By Dan Zukowski • Nov. 6, 2023

How public-private partnerships are fueling growth in Orlando

The city of Orlando is the center of a growing, thriving metropolis that is home to more than two million residents.

By Craig Ustler • Nov. 3, 2023

Advocates hope federal funding will help stem the tide of pedestrian deaths

Complete Streets, Vision Zero and the safe system approach all aim to improve pedestrian safety. The federal government is finally putting big dollars behind the effort, too.

By Dan Zukowski , Julia Himmel , Shaun Lucas • Nov. 3, 2023