The Latest
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How tracking homelessness in real time ‘by name’ can guide local action
Federally mandated annual “point-in-time” counts paint a picture of homelessness in broad strokes. But some communities are collecting information to understand what happens in between.
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New York City to add dozens of new bus lanes and bike lanes
The New York City Department of Transportation outlined a list of 37 new projects to improve access to and within Manhattan as the nation's first congestion pricing plan is set to begin June 30.
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Colorado’s for-cause eviction bill signed into law
Colorado is the sixth U.S. state to establish a law that prevents landlords from evicting tenants or denying lease renewals without cause.
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For high-speed train sets, Brightline West picks Siemens Mobility
The 220-mph trains will be built in the U.S. at a forthcoming facility and will create “new jobs and a new supply chain,” said Brightline’s CEO.
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EPA unveils environmental justice ‘clearinghouse’ with hundreds of resources
The online library is an "excellent start" for municipal leaders looking to center environmental justice in their work, the National League of Cities’ sustainability director said.
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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.
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HUD tightens flood-protection rules for new and rebuilt homes
One floodplain manager predicts similar state and local standards may pop up nationwide, but those in real estate finance decried the rule.
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Navigating social media and free speech as a public official
Separate accounts for personal and official use are the safest bet to avoid litigation in the wake of a recent Supreme Court decision, one lawyer said.
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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.
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Los Angeles’ decade-old street safety plan must be implemented, voters decide
A recently passed ballot measure aims to make streets safer for pedestrians, cyclists and transit riders. But disagreements remain about the plan’s $3.1 billion cost and impact on first responders.
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Want to improve your transit system’s sustainability? A relaunched FTA program can help.
The Federal Transit Administration's two-year program includes an environmental review, virtual workshops and two audits and requires the participation of transit agency executives.
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Atlanta office conversion goes to foreclosure
Atlanta, like many cities, has plenty of office conversion candidates. However, those projects come with challenges.
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California’s nature-based solutions ambitions laid out in 81 goals
The state’s lands emit more greenhouse gas emissions than they absorb from the atmosphere. California aims to turn things around, but climate advocates question where funding will come from.
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Facing expensive climate threats, NYC’s transit system unveils a resilience plan
The $6 billion climate resilience plan is meant to address rising sea levels, more intense storms and extreme heat events that will impact subways, buses and commuter trains.
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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.
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NYC fare-free bus experiment to end
Although funding to continue the program was not included in the recently passed state budget, two lawmakers are looking to expand the program with new legislation.
Updated April 30, 2024 -
Results are in for a Los Angeles cool pavement experiment
The covered neighborhood saw cooling benefits, a new study finds. But some researchers contend shade is king when it comes to protecting people from heat.
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White House earmarks $1.5B in push for freight decarbonization
The largest piece of the president’s plan provides $1 billion to cities, states and tribes to replace heavy-duty vehicles.
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A first-in-the-nation home repair program sees overwhelming demand
A "gaping need" exists nationwide for programs that improve housing quality, said a senior research analyst at the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.
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To increase job access, try dedicated bus lanes, this study says
Urban Institute researchers found that well-enforced bus lanes could reduce costs for transit agencies and help provide equitable access to employment opportunities.
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Labor Department will raise overtime salary threshold to $44K in July, $59K next year
The final rule expands overtime pay eligibility to millions of U.S. workers, the department said.
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For Cruise robotaxi business, GM considers ‘outside investments’
Despite billions in losses attributed to its Cruise subsidiary, General Motors CEO Mary Barra said the company believes in the technology.
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What 54 climate adaptation plans say about how communities are preparing
Nature-based approaches constitute the largest category of total planned strategies, researchers found. They highlighted examples of progress and innovation from a variety of communities.
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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.
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Want a 7-day forecast of heat risk near you? Check out this new federal tool.
The tool accounts for how unusual heat is in a specific location and pulls in Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data on what that means for public health, federal officials said Monday.