Baltimore contractor pilots low-carbon concrete product

The new concrete formulation is designed to cut the material's embodied carbon by 40% compared to ordinary Portland cement-based concrete, the maker says.

By Jeffrey Steele • June 4, 2021

Tampa, Florida, creates resilience plan to prepare for next crisis

The road map, which officials say is the first to be released during or after the coronavirus pandemic, calls for more affordable housing and broadband access in addition to climate-ready infrastructure.

By Chris Teale • June 3, 2021

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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

Lower-income ZIP code residents feel worse effects of extreme heat, ozone pollution: study

Policymakers should prioritize resources in poorer neighborhoods and develop better warning systems, according to a study analyzing hospitalizations across ZIP codes in California.

By Jason Plautz • May 28, 2021

Republicans include $4B for EVs in 2nd counteroffer to Biden infrastructure plan

The Republicans' proposal would spend $928 billion on infrastructure over the next eight years, a $360 billion increase over their previous proposal. But EV advocates say the plan still falls short. 

By Catherine Morehouse • May 28, 2021

Washington, DC, reclaims top spot as best city for parks

The Trust for Public Land's rankings measured park equity access for the first time in the index's 10-year history, noting that while many cities have made strides, plenty of work still lies ahead.  

By Chris Teale • May 27, 2021

With more extreme weather on horizon, FEMA resilience program's dollars to double

The Biden administration's $1 billion injection for the nascent Pre-Disaster Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program comes as national leaders aim to "categorically shift" disaster spending from reactive to proactive.

By Maria Rachal • May 26, 2021

Averting economic devastation from New York's billion-dollar consumer energy debt

Federal funds will eliminate a lot of New Yorkers' energy and water utility debt, but utility shareholders must share the burden of what remains, the authors write.

By Kevin Parker and Richard Berkley • May 26, 2021

Biden orders Yellen to outline climate risks to financial stability

The action also calls for an effort within about four months to identify and disclose the extent of exposure government programs and assets have to climate risks.

By Dan Ennis • May 25, 2021

Stimulus funds poised to magnify impact of Economic Development Administration's new equity focus

The EDA has for the first time prioritized equity in its strategy as it looks to invest in underserved communities and prepare them for the jobs of the future.

By Chris Teale • May 24, 2021

Biden decarbonization focus shifts to buildings, aiming to triple efficiency

The White House announced workforce development funding, new performance standards and expanded partnerships in the private sector to address carbon emissions from the nation's building stock.

By Robert Walton • May 20, 2021

Funding is a key barrier to cities' climate plan progress: report

About 43% of cities worldwide lack a climate adaptation plan, with 25% noting budget constraints as an obstacle, nonprofit CDP reports. But neglecting to address climate change comes with a financial cost too, experts warn.

By Katie Pyzyk • May 17, 2021

Coalition seeks to highlight composting as key urban infrastructure

Given the Biden administration's focus on climate, environmental justice and infrastructure investment, advocates and trade groups view now as an apt time to pursue $200 million across a decade to help expand U.S. composting.

By Maria Rachal • May 13, 2021

NREL app expected to significantly speed up US residential solar permitting

A new app designed by NREL will address a key concern among solar contractors with near-instantaneous permit decisions for residential installations in the majority of U.S. jurisdictions.

By Emma Penrod • May 10, 2021

'We are simply not ready' for EV charging at scale, House Republicans say, warning of China dependence

During a hearing Wednesday on major clean-transportation legislation — part of the Biden administration's $174 billion proposal to bolster electric vehicles — Republicans said the plan strips away consumer choice.

By Robert Walton • May 7, 2021

DC traffic deaths climb as Vision Zero funding remains in limbo

Traffic-related fatalities in the nation's capital are well above the number seen by this date last year. Meanwhile, funding allocations for a new law to bring fatalities to zero by 2024 are still undetermined. 

By Maria Rachal • Updated April 30, 2021

Just transition needed in transit electrification, labor leaders say

Transit worker representatives said agencies and the federal government should provide training and give workers a voice, otherwise major job losses could follow.

By Chris Teale • April 27, 2021

Pittsburgh pursues sustainable deconstruction policy to salvage building materials

Following similar steps in Portland, Oregon, and Milwaukee, Pittsburgh is betting that recovering materials from condemned buildings instead of demolishing them will support the city's climate and equity goals.

By Maria Rachal • April 26, 2021

Verizon-backed accelerator taps emerging tech to support climate justice

A new initiative aims to use 5G, big data and AI to help vulnerable communities build resiliency against the worst impacts of climate change. 

By Chris Teale • April 26, 2021

Cleantech incubator part of Houston's goal to be 'energy transition capital'

One year after the city unveiled its Climate Action Plan, the incubator said it has 30 startups ready to move into its 40,000-square-foot Greentown Labs space.

By Chris Teale • April 23, 2021

New York to revive curbside composting as city lags on zero waste goal

Mayor Bill de Blasio announced on Earth Day the city is reviving multiple programs cut during the pandemic. But the city is not yet taking the steps many elected officials and advocates believe are necessary to achieve a key 2030 target.

By Cole Rosengren • April 22, 2021

3 key investments in LA Mayor Garcetti's proposed 'justice budget'

As the city recovers from the financial blows of the pandemic, the FY22 budget calls for record funding to address homelessness, a guaranteed basic income pilot and the exploration of a reparations commission. 

By Cailin Crowe • April 22, 2021

Biden pledges to halve US carbon emissions by 2030

The United States will work to cut greenhouse gas emissions 50-52% by 2030, relative to 2005 levels, sending clear signals to business and world leaders. 

By Robert Walton • April 22, 2021

Buttigieg defends climate elements of American Jobs plan

The transportation secretary told the Senate Appropriations Committee that President Joe Biden's infrastructure plan aims to have the country off fossil fuels and toward net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

By Kim Slowey • April 21, 2021

Spin begins electrifying operations, eyeing carbon neutrality

The Ford-owned micromobility company said it will start using electric vans in its two largest markets, having achieved carbon neutrality in 2020 by using carbon offsets and supporting environmental projects. 

By Chris Teale • April 21, 2021

Clean energy jobs 'hit hard' by COVID-19 in 2020: report

Research from Environment Entrepreneurs found the sector shed 307,000 jobs but rebounded in the second half of the year — and could be set for major recovery in 2021.

By Chris Teale • April 20, 2021