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Aerial view of the National Petroleum Reserve in northwestern Alaska

The Biden Administration Protects Millions of Acres of Arctic Alaska

Latest NewsAlaskaJenny Shalant
The new Special Areas Rule in the National Petroleum Reserve-Alaska could boost biodiversity and empower Indigenous Peoples to defend the lands they’ve relied on for generations.
Two adults and a child walk along a sandy shoreline

“Forever Chemicals” Called PFAS Show Up in Your Food, Clothes, and Home

ExplainerUnited StatesMolly M. Ginty, Courtney Lindwall
These toxic chemicals are so common in consumer products and manufacturing that they’re everywhere—including inside our bodies.
A river with green trees on either side, with yellow hills in the background

In Planning for Climate Change, Native Americans Draw on the Past

ExplainerUnited States, CanadaTim Vanderpool
Across North America, Indigenous tribes and nations are consulting their traditional ecological knowledge to help prepare for a warming world.

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LA Must Tackle Clean Buildings & Affordable Housing Together

Expert BlogLos Angeles, CaliforniaStefan Schaffer, Michele Knab Hasson, Megan Ross

Currently, LA’s building stock is responsible for 43% of the city’s total greenhouse gas emissions. A recent report dives deep into the complex relationship between getting fossil fuels out of buildings and creating and preserving affordable housing in Los Angeles…

St. Louis Launches SiLVERS EV Shuttle Service for Seniors

Expert BlogSt. Louis, MissouriStefan Schaffer

In the transition to electric vehicles (EVs), St. Louis is thinking outside the box: On September 30, the city celebrated the launch of the innovative St. Louis Vehicle Electrification Rides for Seniors (SiLVERS), an equity-minded program that will provide EV…

Chicago Lays Out New Green Recovery Priorities on COVID-19

Expert BlogChicago, IllinoisStefan Schaffer
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a series of environmental priorities aligned with a “Green Recovery,” a significant step toward reducing the city’s reliance on fossil fuels and creating more equitable economic opportunities in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

St. Louis Charges Toward Clean Air with Electric Vehicles

Expert BlogSt. Louis, MissouriKelly Blynn, Stefan Schaffer
St. Louis continues to set a brisk pace on its path toward clean transportation: In February, Mayor Lyda Krewson signed an executive order that formally begins the transition for the city fleet, requiring city departments to prioritize acquiring EVs over…

Columbus Strides Forward on Its Sustainable Steps Program

Expert BlogColumbus, OhioStefan Schaffer
There’s no slowing down Columbus, Ohio, as it continues to stride forward on climate action. On Energy Efficiency Day, October 7, the city celebrated a major achievement: the completion of more than 30,000 home energy audits within just two years.

Chicago Takes a New Step Toward Renewable Energy

Expert BlogUnited States, Illinois, ChicagoStefan Schaffer, Jay Orfield

Chicago is taking an exciting step toward renewable energy for the city’s buildings by announcing a Request for Proposals.

Chicago City Council Votes for Equitable Access to EVs

Expert BlogStefan Schaffer, Mark Nabong
Some good news for cleaner air: the City of Chicago is taking decisive steps to ensure it is a hub for electric vehicles (EVs). The City Council today passed an ordinance strengthening requirements for EV readiness at commercial and residential…

Smaller Cities Like St. Louis Lead on Energy Efficiency

Expert BlogStefan Schaffer, Maria Stamas
St. Louis passed its highly ambitious Building Energy Performance Standard (BEPS) ordinance, making it the fourth jurisdiction in the United States and first in the Midwest to do so. Mayor Lyda Krewson is expected to officially sign the ordinance into…

San Antonio Picks Up the PACE to Fund Efficient Buildings

Expert BlogStefan Schaffer
The idea behind the American Cities Climate Challenge is to give the 25 participating cities the resources they need to accelerate their efforts to tackle the climate crisis. With support from the Climate Challenge, San Antonio is now speeding toward…

Columbus Takes Bold Steps to Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Expert BlogStefan Schaffer
The City of Columbus, Ohio could soon ask its building owners to track and report how much energy and water is used at their properties as part of a new benchmarking and transparency ordinance. If city council passes the policy…

City of Chicago Releases E-Scooter Pilot Evaluation

Expert BlogStefan Schaffer
E-scooters—and their critics—have taken cities by storm, and Chicago has been no exception. For four months in 2019, the City of Chicago allowed 10 companies to operate 2,500 scooters around town. The goal? Observe the benefits and pitfalls of scooters…

Columbus City Council Holds Hearing on R-PACE Loan Program

Expert BlogStefan Schaffer, Emily Barkdoll
Columbus City Council held a public hearing to consider legislation on an energy efficient renovation financing program for Columbus homeowners on October 24, 2019. This is another monumental step in making Columbus a greener city.

Chicago to Tackle Congestion and Transportation Inequity

Expert BlogStefan Schaffer
Mayor Lightfoot recently introduced one of the country’s most ambitious and equitably structured proposals to price ride-hailing trips, underscoring the city’s commitment to reducing congestion and investing in high-quality transit service for residents all across Chicago.

Mayor Lyda Krewson Is Leading the Fight on Climate Change

Expert BlogUnited States, MissouriStefan Schaffer
St. Louis Mayor Lyda Krewson made a pretty audacious announcement at an October 22 event on climate change at Washington University: the city has made so much progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, she thinks it is time to set…