The Latest
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3 AI takeaways from Smart City Expo USA
“Hard conversations” about AI can reveal "what the priorities are for your community and make sure that you're using AI responsibly" in that context, one tech leader said.
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Colorado commits to expanding passenger rail
Funding to expand Denver's rail transit north to Fort Collins and to develop a plan for intercity rail south along the Front Range was in legislation enacted this month.
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States see wave of squatting-related legislation
Florida, New York and other states passed laws this spring enabling removal of residents who are not legal occupants. Similar bills are being considered in other jurisdictions.
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Brownfield clean-up job training programs can get $14M from EPA
The federal agency also awarded over $300 million in grants to clean up polluted sites so communities can repurpose them into assets such as affordable housing and green space.
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San Francisco snags $3.4B from FTA to bring commuter rail to downtown transit center
The project also promises to support California’s high-speed rail ambitions. But first, local leaders will need to find even more funding.
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Deep Dive
Heat safety laws for workers in Texas, Florida, Phoenix to be put to the test
As summer begins, some states prevent cities from mandating water breaks. Still, there are commonsense practices to protect workers from soaring temperatures, safety officials say.
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Top cities for certified energy-efficient buildings announced by EPA
Los Angeles has dominated the rankings for Energy Star-certified buildings year after year. The U.S. EPA has some ideas on why.
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Guerrilla urbanists are ‘doing it our damn selves’
Some people decide to install bus stop benches, crosswalks and bike lanes without official approval. Experts say it’s an opportunity for cities to engage with the community.
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Uvalde families announce $2M settlement with city, additional lawsuits
While the families of those killed in a 2022 mass shooting will not pursue further legal action against the city, their legal team said they are suing state-level officers and intend to sue the federal government.
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As cities add bus and bike lanes, traffic enforcement keeps them clear
Automated cameras mounted on transit buses or fixed locations such as traffic signals can help catch violators and protect these priority lanes.
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Litter audit data could drive more litigation and policy, experts say
New York is suing PepsiCo for allegedly “harming the public and the environment with its single-use plastic packaging,” in part based on such data.
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Q&A
This universal basic employment pilot aims to reduce poverty
The CEO of the group spearheading the effort envisions running similar programs nationwide and, eventually, at the federal level.
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EPA to ramp up enforcement as most water utilities lack cyber safeguards
The agency may take enforcement actions against water utilities that don't address cyber risks following months of attacks against drinking and wastewater treatment facilities.
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How wide are funding gaps in some large metro school districts?
The per-student funding disparity between wealthy and less wealthy districts in one community was more than $11,000. To reduce or eliminate funding inequities, a new study recommends ambitious policy changes.
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Heat resilience research centers unveiled by Biden administration
Most governments have historically lacked “a comprehensive or coordinated set of strategies to deal with heat and its impacts,” a center lead said. Applications for communities to get involved will open later this year.
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NHTSA probes Waymo, Zoox over ‘unexpected’ self-driving behavior
The robotaxi companies are facing investigations after their autonomous vehicles behaved erratically, causing collisions.
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San Francisco and 2 states expand bans on forever chemicals
The measures outlaw PFAS in items such as turf, menstruation products and firefighter gear.
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How cool pavement, heat risk data are helping a Texas city prep for summer
With heat-related illness on the rise in San Antonio, “it’s critical that we direct resources to those most in need of relief,” said the city’s chief sustainability officer.
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Legal battle over NYC’s building emissions law resurfaces in appellate court
A panel of New York State Supreme Court judges said the defendants, including New York City, have failed to show that the state’s existing climate legislation does not preempt Local Law 97.
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Carbon removal: What’s the local government’s role?
As some cities and counties start to look at carbon removal strategies, experts say the public sector entering the ring could help bring down the cost for everyone.
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Optimism grows for US high-speed rail
Private- and public-sector advocates praised recent progress at the annual high-speed rail conference in Washington, D.C., this week.
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To win the war on rats, NYC convenes National Urban Rat Summit
“The best way to defeat our enemy is to know our enemy,” Mayor Eric Adams said. Municipal experts from cities across the U.S. will be in attendance.
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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.
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Congressional Democrats call for greater focus on traffic deaths
“The loss of one life is too many,” said U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen, D-Wash., at a Wednesday press conference.
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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.