Infrastructure

New life for old coal: Mine lands and power plants are hot renewable development spots

Converting old coal plants to renewable energy storage sites can set states up for job creation and increased tax revenue, one observer says.

  • By Robert Zullo, Iowa Capital Dispatch

Could the feds withhold broadband funding to some states?

Several states appear unwilling to change laws on their books that are at odds with a requirement in the 2021 infrastructure law.

  • By Kery Murakami

EPA proposes all lead pipes be replaced within 10 years

The requirement would be a “massive unfunded mandate,” said a group representing local water utilities. But it does give cities, particularly those with lots of lead pipes, some leeway.

  • By Kery Murakami

$1.5 billion now available in federal transportation grants

A variety of road, transit, rail and trail projects are eligible for funding under the Transportation Department’s popular RAISE program.

  • By Elizabeth Daigneau

Where is noise pollution the worst? Redlined neighborhoods.

Nearly all of them are subject to noise levels linked with hearing loss, a study shows.

  • By Kate Yoder, Grist
Sponsor Content

New Tools Help State and Local Governments Battle Ransomware, Other Big Disasters

When governments find themselves being ransomed, their choices are typically to pay, which will undercut their ability to deliver key services to their communities due to budget restrictions, or not pay, resulting in the immediate inability to serve their communities and the loss of key data that will inevitably plague them for years afterwards.

  • Presented by Veeam

The 15-minute city is a popular planning approach, but relies on ableist assumptions

COMMENTARY | The 15-minute city relies on residents’ abilities to walk and bike. But what what if a resident’s body doesn’t walk or bike in what is considered a normative sense?

  • By Ron Buliung, The Conversation

State workers fear federal grants won’t reach many disadvantaged communities

Amid historic federal investment in climate and environmental initiatives, employees tasked with distributing federal grants say they are overwhelmed and don’t have the bandwidth to ensure underresourced communities get the help they need.

  • By Kery Murakami

Former coal towns get money for clean energy projects

Coal, oil and gas communities are receiving an amount of investment that is far above their share of the population.

  • By Kery Murakami

One solution to fight climate change? Fewer parking spaces.

Less parking could pave the way for denser housing and more accessible public transportation.

  • By Siri Chilukuri, Grist

Despite falling gas prices, some politicians push ahead with tax breaks

Governors often suspend gas taxes for an easy political win with voters. But fuel taxes already face an uncertain future.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

White House finalizes rule requiring states to target vehicle pollution

The controversial requirement will almost certainly meet resistance from Republicans both in states and Congress, who question the legal basis for the new rules.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

Ahead of busy Thanksgiving travel, improvements to air transportation touted

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg highlighted a low airline cancellation rate, airport upgrades and the hiring of more air traffic controllers. He also cautioned that funding squabbles in Congress could hurt progress.

  • By Daniel C. Vock
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Despite setbacks, states are still counting on offshore wind

Canceled projects threaten more than half the offshore wind capacity under contract with states.

  • By Alex Brown, Stateline

Where are the best 'climate havens' in the U.S.? Wherever you build them.

A refuge isn't something nature hands us, but something we have to create ourselves.

  • By Kate Yoder, Grist

How one city funds climate resilience, a dollar at a time

With $1 collected from every electric and gas bills each month, Minneapolis plans to weatherize residents’ homes, install rooftop solar on commercial buildings and build electric vehicle charging stations.

  • By Kaitlyn Levinson

Urban planning has long ignored women’s experiences. Here are 5 ways we can make our cities safer

COMMENTARY | Women are most likely to feel unsafe in their cities or towns, but planning authorities have rarely listened to them. Here's how urban planners can change that.

  • By Nicole Kalms, Charishma Ratnam, Gill Matthewson, Murray Lee and Rebecca Wickes, The Conversation

The best and worst states for green, equitable transportation

A new ranking looks at how well states are directing money from the infrastructure law to improve equity and climate outcomes in their transportation networks.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

FCC adopts rules prohibiting ‘digital redlining’

Deploying broadband in a way that discriminates against low-income communities is barred under the new rules, but observers worry that loopholes will make the rules less effective.

  • By Kery Murakami

‘Safety’ campaigns pre-blame pedestrians for getting hit by cars

Advocates are tired of “tone deaf” messaging that puts the onus for safety on walkers and not on vehicles.

  • By Daniel C. Vock

A robust digital equity plan can boost rural broadband access

A new toolkit from a rural broadband association calls on local leaders to build partnerships, engage in community outreach, and emphasize digital literacy and cybersecurity skills among residents.

  • By Chris Teale

New flood model factors in human reactions

A new open-source flood risk model assesses communities' adaptive responses to flood events, which can help local governments prepare for flood intervention measures like altering development plans or elevating buildings.

  • By Tracey Peake, Futurity