Cybersecurity best practices for smart cities issued by CISA

Smart city technologies are at risk “of exploitation for espionage and for financial or political gain by malicious threat actors,” according to the U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency.

By Michael Brady • April 21, 2023

The costs and surprises of EV charging, according to convenience store retailers

Read the EV charging station maintenance challenges, lessons learned and more from convenience and fuel operators, who are a big part of the electric vehicle charging infrastructure nationwide.

By Brett Dworski • April 14, 2023

Booming EV sales amp up the pressure on cities and companies to meet charging demand

“This is a wake-up call,” an executive at an energy management company said. “The transformation required to enable widespread vehicle electrification will be a massive challenge.”

By Dan Zukowski • April 13, 2023

On infrastructure jobs, OSHA steps up workplace safety enforcement

As federal funds flood into construction projects thanks to the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration is concerned about protecting workers in the infrastructure sector.

By Julie Strupp • April 12, 2023

Tighter EPA vehicle emissions standards may speed up electric vehicle transition

The new emissions standards would apply to 2027 through 2032 model-year vehicles, but they would not mandate EVs, leaving it up to automakers to decide how to meet the rules.

By Dan Zukowski • April 12, 2023

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

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

States’ transportation electrification plans fail to consider grid needs: report

Managing charging will be vital because transportation could represent more than a quarter of global electricity use by 2050, the Energy Systems Integration Group said in its report.  

By Robert Walton • April 5, 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

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

NYC launches online portal for city services, benefits

Mayor Eric Adams said the online portal, dubbed MyCity, would make it easier for residents to apply for benefits by reducing bureaucracy and red tape.

By Michael Brady • March 31, 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

Solar technical assistance program will serve 500 more communities by 2027, Department of Energy says

The free program aims to help local governments follow national best practices to expand solar energy use. At least 200 of the new designees will be communities DOE considers underserved.

By Diana DiGangi • March 27, 2023

Every rental unit has level 2 EV charging in its own garage in this Arizona development

Individual chargers will become standard across the housing industry in the future, predicts the property’s development and management team.

By Mary Salmonsen • March 24, 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

Curbside EV charging startup wins urban infrastructure award at SXSW

Brooklyn-based itselectric plans to offer installation, management and maintenance of the chargers free to cities and property owners.

By Dan Zukowski • March 17, 2023

$700 million for community EV charging now available from federal grant program

Cities, counties, other local governments and tribes can apply for grants for public charging in urban and rural communities.

By Dan Zukowski • March 14, 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

EPA unveils cybersecurity oversight for public drinking water systems

“Cyberattacks that are targeting water systems pose a real and significant threat to our security,” said Radhika Fox, assistant administrator for the EPA Office of Water, during a teleconference with reporters.

By David Jones • March 6, 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

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