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San Jose’s Proposed Building “Reach Code,” Explained

Expert BlogCalifornia, San Jose (California)Pierre Delforge, Maria Stamas

San Jose is reaching for a modern, more sustainable building energy code this September with an important opportunity before its City Council members: to adopt requirements for builders that will provide San Jose residents with clean, affordable energy in buildings…

SLO Could Pass the Next Landmark Clean Energy Building Code

Expert BlogCaliforniaPierre Delforge

San Luis Obispo could become one of the first cities in the state to pass policy aimed at transitioning to zero-emission electric homes and businesses that are cleaner, safer, and more affordable for their occupants.

Principles for Parks and Equitable Development

Expert BlogUnited States, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, MemphisSasha Forbes, AICP

Assets in our communities that offer us increased connectivity, shelter, and planned outdoor spaces can act as triggers that escalate land values which usually price out existing residents, often low-income and people of color, and more often renters. But communities…

New CA Lawn Sprinkler Standards = Huge Water & Energy Savings

Expert BlogCaliforniaEd Osann

California officials have adopted one of the most important and consequential water-saving measures ever implemented by any state, establishing an efficiency standard for new spray sprinklers that will reduce irrigation system misting and overspray that is common around urban landscapes.

Keeping Water Demand in Check

Expert BlogUnited States, California, Los AngelesEd Osann

A new tool is shedding light on a growing mismatch between the supply and demand of fresh water.

Midwest Floods May Lead Illinois to New Solutions

Expert BlogUnited States, IllinoisRob Moore

The Midwest floods of 2019 have caused hardship and loss but, Illinois has not seen much in the way of damages. Part of the reason is because Illinois has strong floodplain management regulations, something Governor Pritzker is expected to keep…

American Cities Climate Challenge PACE Roundtable in NYC

Expert BlogGeorgia, Atlanta, Ohio, Columbus, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh, Texas, San AntonioPhilip Smith

Riding a strong tailwind from recent climate and sustainability legislative successes, earlier this month, the Bloomberg American Cities Climate Challenge brought its PACE (Property Assessed Clean Energy) Financing Cohort to New York for an intensive, dialogue-driven Roundtable with the four…

How to Do High Road Infrastructure: 10 Lessons from L.A.

Expert BlogLos AngelesDouglass Sims

In honor Infrastructure Week, guest blogger Dena Belzer, CEO of Strategic Economics reports out on her conversation with Cris Liban of LA Metro, on lessons learned for planning, designing, building and operating High Road infrastructure.

St. Louis Building Code Update: Raising the Roof (Floor)

Expert BlogMissouriKatharine McCormick

St. Louis adopted the 2018 IECC, or International Energy Conservation Code, a model code that creates a floor for energy performance in new buildings. Because the IECC update addresses a wide range of energy uses in both commercial and residential…

Race to Reduce Launched to Energize Saint Paul

Expert BlogMinnesotaKatharine McCormick

Saint Paul Mayor Melvin Carter has kicked off an energy efficiency challenge directed at the city’s largest buildings. Through the program, dubbed the “Race to Reduce,” buildings will be invited to join a cohort that will collectively strive to streamline…