More efficient electric vehicles can reduce grid stress, cut charging costs by almost a third: ACEEE

Local governments can leverage registration fees and subsidies to encourage EV efficiency, says research published Tuesday by the American Council for an Energy-Efficient Economy.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 20, 2024

Should tenants have a right to cooling? More cities say yes amid record heat.

As rental cooling standards pop up around the country, experts warn that they aren’t a perfect solution to the rising danger of scorching temperatures.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 20, 2024

New York encourages electrification with new affordability pilot, grid planning process

The pilot will ensure that about 1,000 low-income households spend no more than 6% of their annual income on electricity when they electrify their space and water heating.

By Robert Walton • Aug. 19, 2024

Government EV fleets are expanding to include charging infrastructure for larger vehicles

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.Local gove...

By Michael Keating • Aug. 14, 2024

Tackling water loss with advanced AI technology

Transition to continuous monitoring and proactive maintenance.

Aug. 12, 2024

Thermal energy networks can slash water use in buildings, study shows

With thermal energy networks poised to expand in coming years, water usage data must be standardized and publicly available, the Building Decarbonization Coalition said.

By Nish Amarnath • Aug. 7, 2024

AI could halt energy use growth in US buildings: LBNL study

Combined with policy measures and low-carbon generation, building carbon emissions can decline over 90% by 2050 compared with business-as-usual scenarios, according to national lab researchers.

By Joe Burns • Aug. 6, 2024

Electric company would pay $2B in pending Maui wildfire settlement

Hawaiian Electric Industries and its utilities were named in about 400 lawsuits related to the wildfires, with plaintiffs arguing utility power lines started the deadly blazes.

By Ethan Howland • Aug. 5, 2024

Teamwork between local government and utilities spells safer, swifter power restoration

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.An East Co...

By Mike Zappone • Aug. 2, 2024

$36M for low-income housing energy efficiency available from US DOE grants

Local governments and other entities can get up to $2 million each for weatherization and workforce training efforts.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Aug. 1, 2024

Clean energy tax credits are tough. This new tool could help.

The free online navigator from Lawyers for Good Government can help cities determine if a project qualifies for Inflation Reduction Act direct-pay incentives.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 31, 2024

US cities sharpen focus on building performance standards to meet net-zero goals

U.S. cities are turning to performance-based standards to meet climate goals after traditional energy-efficiency mandates fell short, a JLL report says.

By Nish Amarnath • July 29, 2024

Building performance standards are likely not preempted by federal law, attorney says

Such policies are likely safe even after a federal appeals court struck down Berkeley, California’s first-in-the-nation gas ban in new construction, said Daniel Carpenter-Gold, staff attorney at the Public Health Law Center.

By Ysabelle Kempe • Updated July 24, 2024

600+ NYC facilities pledge to cut energy use as part of expanded demand response program

The city also plans to install over 1,150 real-time meters in municipal buildings to help manage electricity use, according to its Department of Citywide Administrative Services.

By Nish Amarnath • July 23, 2024

How cities are using Biden’s $4.3B climate pollution reduction grants

The grants “put local governments in the driver’s seat to develop climate solutions,” a federal official said. Cities and counties plan to use the money for electrification, bike-sharing, solar power and more.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 23, 2024

New York wants tall commercial, multifamily buildings to test low-carbon heating retrofits

Seven finalists in a $10 million competition will develop heating and distribution systems that can be installed without displacing occupants, Gov. Kathy Hochul announced last week. 

By Nish Amarnath • July 22, 2024

Here’s a quick sustainability win: Make structures more energy-efficient

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.Cities and...

By Michael Keating • July 16, 2024

The movement to get neighborhoods off natural gas gains momentum

For years, cities have pursued ways to get buildings off fossil fuels, one structure at a time. Now, some leaders and advocates are eyeing a newer approach: neighborhood-scale decarbonization.

By Ysabelle Kempe • July 10, 2024

US electricity prices rise again as AI, onshoring may mean decades of power demand growth: BofA

The year-over-year inflation rate for electricity prices reached 5.9% in May, up from 3.8% in January, according to Bank of America Institute.

By Robert Walton • July 8, 2024

Government officials determine the best way to electrify fleets and meet clean fleet regulations

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.Bradley No...

By Michael Keating • July 3, 2024

Lack of affordable electric vehicles will limit widespread US adoption until at least 2028: BofA

Analysts at Bank of America and Bloomberg say U.S. EV penetration rates are slowing and are unlikely to reach 30% by 2030.

By Robert Walton • June 27, 2024

What US mayors want from the next president, Congress

The creation of a first-ever city mental health block grant, affordable housing investments and gun safety legislation are among the U.S. Conference of Mayors’ requests.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 27, 2024

Electrifying neighborhoods could save California billions on gas line replacements

Utilities could save around $20 billion in gas pipeline replacement costs by 2045 while only affecting about 3% of current gas customers, says a new analysis prepared for the Natural Resources Defense Council.

By Ysabelle Kempe • June 20, 2024

Local opposition to renewable energy projects ‘widespread and growing’: Columbia University report

The report tracks 395 local restrictions on renewable energy development, with 55 of those emerging in the last year.

By Diana DiGangi • June 14, 2024

WIFIA funding helps communities address the impacts of climate change

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.Changes in...

By Dallas Shattuck • June 14, 2024