Energy & Utilities
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EPA launches new Energy Star residential standard
Requirements for certification include heat pumps, resident electric vehicle charging stations, electric cooking appliances and highly energy-efficient construction.
By Mary Salmonsen • May 17, 2024 -
Clean energy fund surplus sparks tension in Pacific Northwest city
The Portland, Oregon, program has brought in millions of dollars more than originally anticipated, putting some city leaders and climate advocates at odds over how to proceed.
By Ysabelle Kempe • May 16, 2024 -
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 in 2024.
By Smart Cities Dive staff -
Sponsored by Franklin Electric EV Systems
Investigating the uptime challenges facing charge point operators
Explore the common causes of DC fast charger uptime issues.
May 13, 2024 -
23 states, rural co-ops sue EPA over ‘unlawful, unreasonable’ power plant rules
“This rule intentionally sets impossible standards to destroy the coal industry,” North Dakota Attorney General Drew Wrigley said Thursday.
By Robert Walton • May 10, 2024 -
HUD’s $4.8B green retrofit program announces first construction project deal
A new heat pump system will replace the existing gas-powered system at an apartment community housing low-income older adults.
By Ysabelle Kempe • May 9, 2024 -
BMW’s future EVs will support bidirectional charging
The automaker’s next generation of vehicles will be able to store energy to send back to the grid.
By Eric Walz • May 7, 2024 -
How can cities build a future with fewer gas pipelines?
As some communities question the logic of continued investment in the gas system, a new RMI and National Grid paper looks at efforts to find alternatives.
By Ysabelle Kempe • May 6, 2024 -
DOE picks local clean energy projects to receive $27M in grants
More than three dozen state and local governments will receive funds, including $2.2 million for Chicago to launch a building electrification campaign, install EV chargers and other projects.
By Robert Walton • May 2, 2024 -
Clean energy transition could take ‘decades or generations,’ JPMorgan warns
New research from the U.S. bank pointed to inflation, high interest rates and geopolitical issues as key roadblocks delaying the shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy.
By Zoya Mirza • May 1, 2024 -
Energy Department finalizes rule to phase out fossil fuels in federal buildings
The elimination of on-site fossil fuel use in new projects after 2030 is part of the Biden administration’s push for net-zero emissions from federal facilities by 2045.
By Nish Amarnath • April 29, 2024 -
EPA awards $7B to 60 low-income solar access programs
The funds will support community solar programs as well as initiatives to provide loans and grants to low-income households looking to install rooftop solar, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
By Emma Penrod • April 24, 2024 -
Sponsored by Reworld™
7 starting points for effective sustainability strategies
In today's environmentally conscious world, businesses cannot afford to ignore the impact of waste.
April 22, 2024 -
Sponsored by Schneider Electric
New tax credits are spurring resilience and clean energy shift in cities
The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) enables cities to adopt clean energy with new tax credit benefits.
April 15, 2024 -
5 ways cities can accelerate EV charger deployments equitably
Seek community input, learn from other cities, reduce regulatory barriers and other ideas from participants in the DOE’s Clean Energy to Communities Program.
By Iulia Gheorghiu • April 12, 2024 -
DOE awards $27M for communities to plan a clean-energy future
This is the first funding round for the Energy Future Grants initiative, which launched last year to help communities plan for transportation and building electrification, microgrids and solar projects.
By Ysabelle Kempe • April 11, 2024 -
How cities are building out public EV charging infrastructure
As more electric vehicles hit the road, municipalities and property owners are working with contractors to deploy EV chargers at libraries, airports, parks and other sites.
By Joe Burns • April 10, 2024 -
Rooftop heat pump technologies can save US businesses $5B annually: DOE
A new U.S. Department of Energy program aims to bring higher-efficiency rooftop heat pump technologies to market as soon as 2027.
By Nish Amarnath • April 9, 2024 -
Indiana DOT, Purdue collaborate on highway that charges EVs
Researchers will embed coils in a quarter-mile stretch of concrete roadway to produce a magnetic field that can recharge vehicles while they drive.
By Matthew Thibault • April 8, 2024 -
Inside the rise of groundwater-based geothermal heat pumps
The technology, which is cost-effective across 75% of the U.S. landmass and ideal for space-constrained users, could eventually displace utility gas service, proponents say.
By Brian Martucci • April 5, 2024 -
These 8 nonprofits got $20B from the Biden administration for local clean energy financing. Now what?
The “green bank” funds must be obligated by September 2024 amid efforts by Republican lawmakers to repeal the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund.
By Ysabelle Kempe • April 5, 2024 -
High-priority local actions in Biden’s new plan to slash building GHG emissions
The Department of Energy blueprint lays out specific goals to lower U.S. building emissions 90% by 2050 compared with 2005 levels.
By Ysabelle Kempe • April 3, 2024 -
Opinion
Utilities must come clean about the full value of community solar
Utilities often oppose customer-driven, third-party-owned energy projects like community solar because they threaten to supplant utility investments and utility shareholder profits.
By Jeff Cramer and John Farrell • April 3, 2024 -
IRS direct pay framework opens doors for tax-exempt entities to access clean energy credits
The U.S. Treasury Department’s final rule for the program paves the way for organizations to receive more than 30% of a project’s cost in direct cash payments for clean energy investments.
By Brian Martucci • April 2, 2024 -
New Mexico regulators approve El Paso Electric $11M EV plan, including low-income rebates
The rebate program has a total budget of $200,000 and will be available to 50 customers. El Paso Electric will also offer smart charging programs and incentives for charging equipment.
By Robert Walton • April 1, 2024 -
To chart its path away from gas, Massachusetts launches energy transformation office
Headed by a former utility executive, the office will convene a task force with representatives from utilities, municipalities, business, labor and the supply chain industry.
By Ysabelle Kempe • March 25, 2024