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California's first major carbon capture and storage plant has received approval from officials in Kern County, marking a significant milestone for California Resources Corp. The facility plans to inject over 1 million metric tons of captured carbon dioxide into underground reservoirs annually. While some local leaders see the project as a way to create jobs and reduce pollution, others have expressed concerns about health and safety impacts. The U.S. is seeing increased investment in carbon capture and storage technology, with California aiming to be carbon neutral by 2045. [Extracted from the article]

Boston has completed the largest single installation of green roofs on bus shelters in the United States. The project, which took three years to complete, aims to capture stormwater, increase biodiversity, provide shade, and improve air quality. The initial installations are along the city's most popular bus route, but Boston is considering expanding the strategy to other areas. Green roofs can help reduce temperatures, improve energy efficiency, and absorb stormwater, but they can also be more expensive to install and require maintenance. Boston will collect data on the impact of the green roofs, including stormwater retention and temperature differences. [Extracted from the article]

New York City plans to establish the GreenHOUSE Fund, which will assist rent-regulated multifamily housing owners and low-income co-ops in complying with the city's building decarbonization law. The fund will be financed through the sale of "offset certificates," which building owners can purchase to meet the requirements of Local Law 97, which mandates stricter greenhouse gas emissions standards. The city's Local Law 97 requires large buildings to meet energy efficiency and emissions standards, with emissions reductions targets of 40% by 2030 and 80% by 2040. The offset certificates will be available for purchase by May 2025 and will cost $268 per ton of carbon emissions. The program has received support from sustainability-focused groups and Mayor Eric Adams has called for the enactment of a new tax incentive program to cover compliance costs. [Extracted from the article]

The city of Seattle is offering a $4,000 rebate to moderate-income households to replace their oil heating systems with electric heat pumps. This rebate can be combined with the city's existing $2,000 instant rebate and a $2,000 federal tax credit, providing up to $8,000 in support for transitioning to heat pumps. Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell aims to eliminate oil-heated homes by 2030. Heat pumps are being encouraged due to their cost savings and energy efficiency, and the new rebate will be effective until May 2025 or while funding lasts. The funding for this program comes from Washington state's cap-and-invest program. [Extracted from the article]

The city council of Norwalk, California, has voted to extend a ban on new homeless shelters and other types of housing, despite warnings from Governor Gavin Newsom that it is unlawful and the state may take legal action. The city argues that these facilities pose a threat to public health, safety, and welfare. Governor Newsom has criticized the city's decision, stating that it is counterproductive and immoral to not provide shelter and services to those in need. The state has sent a notice of violation to the city, which must respond by September 23. [Extracted from the article]

A recent paper published by researchers at the University of California, Irvine, and the University of Miami raises concerns about the accuracy of national flood-risk models at the local level in cities. The researchers compared two flood-risk models for Los Angeles County and found that they produced different hazard maps, with their own model predicting a larger flood zone in disadvantaged communities. While it is difficult to determine which model is more accurate, the researchers argue for the use of their model, which includes fine-resolution data on topography and other features that affect flooding. The researchers suggest that communities should engage with community members and consider other flood-mitigation steps in addition to using flood hazard maps. [Extracted from the article]

The article discusses the initiatives to revitalize its downtown by offering tax abatements for commercial-to-residential conversions and grants for businesses expanding into vacant spaces in Washington D.C. Topics include the creation of 754 housing units, the district's strategy to attract 15,000 new residents by 2028, and efforts to address the economic impact of post-pandemic hybrid work patterns.

The article focuses on Cincinnati's, Ohio, recent zoning overhaul aimed at addressing a housing shortage and reflecting a generational shift in urban planning perspectives. Topics include the removal of density restrictions and relaxed parking requirements to encourage development; community feedback on the changes; and the challenges the city faces in implementing the Connected Communities plan amidst rising construction costs and interest rates.

The article reports on the plan proposed by Mayor Andre Dickens of Atlanta, Georgia and the city council to direct 60 million dollars in funding to address homelessness in city.

The article focuses on Birmingham, Alabama's initiative to deploy a homelessness response team for nonemergency situations, reducing the reliance on police intervention. Topics include the city's collaboration with Urban Alchemy to run the program, the team's efforts to de-escalate crises and connect individuals to resources, and the challenges seen in similar programs in cities like San Francisco.

The article focuses on Portland, Oregon's adoption of its first Housing Production Strategy to address rising housing costs and meet future needs. Topics include the strategy's 35 proposed methods for increasing housing supply and affordability, Portland's approach to overcoming development challenges, and the city's collaboration with Los Angeles to explore effective housing policies.

The article focuses on New York City's plans to implement a policy by 2030 requiring landlords to provide air conditioning in rental units to address rising temperatures and public health concerns. Topics include the city's commitment to developing a cooling policy as part of its PlaNYC sustainability plan, the challenges faced by low-income and vulnerable populations in managing heat, and the need for additional state and federal support to make cooling affordable for these residents.

The article discusses Montgomery County's landmark law requiring landlords to provide air conditioning from June to September, 2024 to address health risks from extreme heat. Topics include the initial implementation challenges, the impact on tenants, and potential lessons for other jurisdictions considering similar policies.

The article focuses on the emerging trend of cities implementing rental cooling standards to address the rising temperatures and protect tenants. Topics include recent policies requiring landlords to provide air conditioning, the challenges and limitations of these cooling standards, and the need for complementary support programs to assist with energy costs and address equity issues.

Cleveland, one of the poorest cities in the U.S., is set to launch a first-of-its-kind pilot program in 2026 that guarantees workers a salary of $50,000 for three years. The program, called Universal Basic Employment, aims to provide financial stability and dignity to workers in low-wage jobs. The pilot will partner with local businesses and philanthropy to subsidize the salaries of both currently employed and unemployed individuals. Supporters argue that this approach is a better investment than traditional social safety net programs and can help individuals access private-sector resources. The founder of the program hopes to expand it to the state and federal levels in the future. [Extracted from the article]

San Antonio is using heat-related research projects to inform its heat mitigation efforts. The city partnered with the University of Texas at San Antonio to measure neighborhoods' urban heat vulnerability, taking into account factors such as heat, income, and race. The data will be used to develop a heat response strategy. Additionally, the city tested the effects of different cool pavement treatments on city streets, finding that the water-based asphalt treatment reduced surface temperatures. However, some researchers argue that shade is a more effective strategy than cool pavement for keeping people cool outdoors and protecting public health. [Extracted from the article]

City leaders in Portland, Oregon are considering using the city's clean energy fund for other expenses, sparking tension with environmental and justice groups who want the funds to be used for climate action projects. The Portland Clean Energy Community Benefits Fund, which relies on a voter-approved tax on large retailers, has generated $587 million since its creation in 2018, exceeding the original revenue expectations. Over $165 million has been awarded to climate action projects so far, but concerns have been raised about the fund's effectiveness and the lack of performance standards and equity plans. Some city leaders want to use the fund for non-climate-related programs, while others advocate for changes to the program. However, a coalition of local groups argues that the money is needed for climate action and that the fund gives Portland an advantage in accessing federal infrastructure funding. The city has released a plan to spend $750 million from the clean energy fund over five years. [Extracted from the article]

New York City is hosting its first National Urban Rat Summit in September to address the issue of urban rat management. The summit aims to bring together rat researchers and municipal experts to share best practices and forge connections. Rat sightings in the city have decreased by 14% in designated rat mitigation zones. The summit will include experts from other cities such as Boston, New Orleans, and Seattle. New York City has implemented various strategies to combat rats, including containerizing trash and limiting their access to food sources. The city's housing authority has also designated exterminators and purchased equipment to treat rat burrows. The exact details of the summit, such as registration and location, are yet to be announced. [Extracted from the article]

Local governments are beginning to consider their role in carbon dioxide removal projects as part of their efforts to address climate change. A survey of city and county climate action plans found that about a third include specific mention of carbon removal. While nature-based solutions like reforestation are more commonly pursued due to their lower cost, technology-based solutions like direct air capture could benefit from local governments serving as testing grounds for small-scale projects. However, there are concerns that carbon removal could distract from the need to transition away from fossil fuels, and there are also environmental justice concerns regarding the siting of carbon removal projects. Local governments interested in carbon removal can incorporate it into their net-zero plans and involve the community in decision-making processes. State governments can also provide resources and support for local carbon removal efforts. [Extracted from the article]

Boston has partnered with climate tech company FloodMapp to monitor flooding in real time, aiming to improve emergency preparation, response, and recovery. The city, which faces climate change impacts like sea-level rise and intense storms, hopes that the insights provided by FloodMapp will support targeted evacuation planning and risk mitigation. FloodMapp's technology uses machine learning to simulate different types of flooding and draws on data such as rainfall forecasts and real-time stream-level gauge information. Boston will utilize three products from FloodMapp to forecast, monitor, and map floods before, during, and after they occur. Other cities in the US, such as Norfolk, Virginia, have also adopted FloodMapp's technology. [Extracted from the article]

The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is offering a rebate of $100 per tree planted on residential or business properties, up to five trees per property. The program aims to encourage property owners to replace grass lawns with drought-tolerant landscaping and California-Friendly and native trees. The district has created a guide to tree planting and maintenance, and participants are expected to purchase and plant the trees themselves. The district has specified criteria for eligible trees, including size, water requirements, stormwater retention, air quality benefits, and fire risk. The tree rebate is an addition to a turf replacement program that has already replaced 218 million square feet of lawns with sustainable landscapes. [Extracted from the article]

Sea Isle City, New Jersey, has made significant progress in reducing flood risk and improving floodplain management. The city went from having a poor flood management reputation to achieving the highest rank of any New Jersey city in FEMA's Community Rating System. This status allows residents to receive a 35% discount on federal flood insurance premiums. The city's success can be attributed to strengthened zoning ordinances, investments in berms and bulkheads, and the leadership of Mayor Leonard Desiderio. Sea Isle City hopes to become the state's first Class 2 community in the future. [Extracted from the article]

The Department of Energy (DOE) has announced that it is providing $90 million to support states and localities in adopting and implementing building energy codes. This funding is part of a total of $225 million designated by the 2021 infrastructure law for building energy code modernization. The DOE emphasizes the benefits of updated energy codes, including lower utility bills, reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved grid reliability, and increased resilience during extreme weather events. The agency will prioritize applicant teams that include strategic partnerships between local building code agencies, design or construction associations, and developers of standards. [Extracted from the article]

New York City has released a Green Economy Action Plan aimed at growing industries and jobs that combat climate change. The plan projects that the city's "green economy" will employ around 400,000 people by 2040, up from 133,000 currently. It identifies 21 focus occupations critical to sustainable growth and outlines programs to support climate-related startups and train local workers for green jobs. The plan also includes the establishment of a climate innovation hub and green-collar job training programs throughout the city. [Extracted from the article]