Low-carbon materials eligible for climate resilience, disaster recovery funding: FEMA

Local governments can access federal funds to buy low-carbon concrete, asphalt, glass and steel through three programs under the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

By Ysabelle Kempe • April 11, 2023

What will it take to build sustainable cities? Public officials, experts weigh in

If the Biden administration’s climate investment isn’t spent wisely, it could “lock us into what we're already doing,” said an urban sustainability expert at a Washington Post Live event.

By Ysabelle Kempe • April 10, 2023

Explore the Trendline➔

Top 5 stories from Smart Cities Dive

From worsening climate change to a shifting transportation landscape and the housing affordability crisis, cities have their work cut out for them.

By Smart Cities Dive staff

The country’s most EV-friendly metro areas

Electric vehicle charger availability varies widely across the U.S. Of the top 10 U.S. metro areas for electric-vehicle friendliness, more than half are in California, a new report found.

By Mary Salmonsen • April 10, 2023

How Jersey City’s resiliency plan preps them to weather the storm

How the leaders of Jersey City ensure that their community remains safe and healthy for generations to come.

April 10, 2023

With electric delivery vehicles in high demand, GM’s Brightdrop sold out for the year

The company has over 30 commercial customers covering parcel delivery, retail, rental and service-based utilities.

By Dan Zukowski • April 7, 2023

Walmart to install EV chargers at thousands of stores by 2030

The company noted that there’s “a store or club located within 10 miles of approximately 90% of Americans,” putting these chargers in easy reach of most electric vehicle drivers.

By Jessica Loder • April 7, 2023

Lyft expands electric-vehicle option to riders in 14 cities and counties

Business riders will be able to request hybrid or electric vehicles beginning April 17.

By Dan Zukowski • April 6, 2023

Amazon deliveries made by Rivian EVs surge to 75M

More than 3,000 electric vehicles are making Amazon deliveries in over 500 cities and regions across the U.S., Amazon said.

By Max Garland • April 3, 2023

“Curated” climate data, grant assistance can help cities address EJ and climate change concerns

U.S. EPA tools can help communities anticipate climate impacts such as wildfires, drought, coastal floods and 100-year floods, an EPA official said. Assistance can help them apply for federal grants to address those impacts.

By Stephenie Overman • April 3, 2023

Uber and bp to provide fast EV chargers to the ride-hailing company’s drivers

Uber drivers use electric vehicles at a rate more than eight times that of the general population in the U.S., an Uber spokesperson said.

By Dan Zukowski • March 31, 2023

‘Nature-based solutions’ like trees and rain gardens can be cost-effective climate adaptations, advocates say

Momentum for land- and water-based infrastructure strategies has been increasing. The Biden administration’s road map and resource guide could speed adoption, advocates said.

By Kalena Thomhave • March 28, 2023

How cities can center equity in EV charging

“Focus more on the people than on the hardware” to implement EV charging equitably, one electric transportation advocate said, such as by talking to residents and listening to their needs.

By Kalena Thomhave • March 28, 2023

Is your city minimobility-ready?

Cities must transition from favoring full-sized cars and SUVs to prioritizing slower, smaller passenger vehicles that can meet more travelers’ needs in less space, transportation experts say.

By Austyn Gaffney • March 20, 2023

On climate change, this group of mayors thinks globally and acts locally

Climate Mayors Executive Director Kate Wright discusses how the organization is helping mayors lead on climate policy and implement provisions of the Inflation Reduction Act and 2021 infrastructure law.

By Michael Brady • March 17, 2023

Skanska predicts construction costs will rise above inflation in many US cities

The new report examined construction costs in 21 U.S. markets, including Dallas; New York City; Orlando, Florida; Phoenix; San Francisco; and Seattle.

By Zachary Phillips • March 14, 2023

Biden proposed budget boosts funding for clean energy, permitting, efficiency programs

The budget released Thursday includes $11.9 billion for the Department of Energy climate and clean energy research, development, demonstration and deployment, a 20% hike over the FY 23 enacted amount.

By Ethan Howland • March 10, 2023

Colorado’s lead composter imposes stricter accepted materials rules to curb contamination

A1 Organics says contamination rates are growing as curbside composting programs expand. Even items labeled "compostable" no longer will be accepted.

By Katie Pyzyk • March 7, 2023

US DOT and Austin, Texas, launch first-of-its-kind $22 billion transportation partnership

It’s the first time the Transportation Department has entered an emerging projects agreement with a city to fast-track networks of related projects rather than using a piecemeal approach.

By Michael Brady • March 7, 2023

New Mexico considering bill to mandate, fund protected bike lanes in some roadway improvement projects

The requirement would apply to roadway improvement projects in municipalities with 10,000 or more residents.

By Michael Brady • March 3, 2023

$250M for curbing climate pollution, advancing environmental justice available from US EPA

Each of the 67 most-populated U.S. metropolitan areas is eligible for $1 million in planning grants, which the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will follow with $4.6 billion to help cities and states implement their plans later this year.

By Michael Brady • March 1, 2023

Intercity bus station closures create problems for riders

The closure of many Greyhound bus stations “is putting a lot of pressure on state and local governments to help find fixes,” said a researcher at the Chaddick Institute for Metropolitan Development at DePaul University.

By Dan Zukowski • Feb. 27, 2023

PACE programs are a popular strategy for local decarbonization financing: report

Property-assessed clean energy programs are more common than taxes and other strategies as a source of dedicated climate funds for local governments, a Brookings Institution report found.

By Michael Brady • Feb. 27, 2023

First NYC commercial waste zone implementation could begin in 2024, DSNY says

Mayor Eric Adams’ administration has faced criticism over how long it has taken the New York City Department of Sanitation to advance the waste zones program.

By Maria Rachal • Feb. 24, 2023

Subway sandwich chain to install EV charging stations at select stores

The smaller stations will have fast EV chargers that provide a 120-mile charge within 17 minutes for about $20.

By Julie Littman • Feb. 23, 2023

Chicago adopts citywide equity and resiliency plan

The We Will Chicago plan aims to address eight issue areas, including housing and economic development, in its 40 goals and 150 objectives. 

By Michael Brady • Feb. 21, 2023