Urban Planning/Transportation / Public News Service

Michigan plans to build 100,000 vehicle charging stations for 2 million electric vehicles by 2030. (Mike Mareen/Adobe Stock)

MI 'clean fuels' backers speak out as Congress could end EV tax credits

A Michigan group is speaking out after a top congressional leader's comment that lawmakers will most likely scrap the $7,500 federal tax credit for bu…

The American Lung Association reports more than 2.6 million Ohioans, including over 600,000 children and 500,000 people with asthma, are at higher risk from air pollution exposure. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio cities brace for impact of federal EV rollback proposals

As air pollution levels rise in parts of Ohio, new federal proposals could roll back protections that limit emissions from gas-powered vehicles…

As WA air quality worsens, Congress rolls back protections

Air pollution in Washington is getting worse, according to a new report citing transportation emissions as the primary culprit. Eight of the 12 …

A number of Virginia cities in rural parts of the state, such as Charlottesville, Lynchburg and others, rank nationally for high air quality and low air pollution levels. (Adobe Stock)

Report: Resistance to stricter vehicle emissions will affect air quality

A new report found the country needs cleaner vehicles to combat worsening air quality across Virginia but Republican lawmakers are looking to repeal s…

The Biden administration's Inflation Reduction Act included tax credits and incentives to promote electric vehicle adoption in New Mexico. (See Less/Adobe Stock)

U.S. veterans who hold elective office want environmental investments restored

A bipartisan group of current and former elected officials said the continued use of fossil fuels threatens global security and they want funding for …

Nebraska emitted about 81 million metric tons of greenhouse gases in 2021, 26th highest in the country, according to the Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy. (Adobe Stock)

New report stresses EVs for Nebraskans' lung health

A new report from the American Lung Association found air pollution continues to be a problem even as Congress stymies efforts to bolster the electric…

Pollution in PA worsens amid ongoing clean-vehicle policy debate

Air pollution in Pennsylvania is getting worse, according to a new report citing transportation emissions as the primary culprit. The American Lung …

Davis, Duchesne, Salt Lake, Tooele, Uintah, Utah and Weber counties all received a letter grade of

Multiple UT counties get 'F' in clean air report

Utah counties are struggling when it comes to clean air, according to a new report from the American Lung Association and advocates said Utahns will …

Bloomington, California, residents protest a warehouse project proposed for their neighborhood in September 2024. (Concerned Neighbors of Bloomington)

Environmental groups fight plan to add warehouses in CA's Inland Empire

A big warehouse project proposed for the Inland Empire is being challenged in court Wednesday by a coalition of environmental justice groups…

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, passenger vehicles emit about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year, on average. (Chris Ahern Photo/Adobe Stock)

Detroit area pollution worsens, as 'clean vehicle' debate rolls on

Air pollution in the Motor City area is getting worse, according to a new report citing transportation emissions as the primary culprit. The …

The net loss of college educated people through migration from Nebraska to other states has more than quadrupled in the last decade, according to the Aksarben Foundation. (Adobe Stock)

Omaha counters NE 'brain drain' with 'brain gain'

A new report shows housing and transportation are key factors that can keep young professionals from leaving Nebraska for opportunities elsewhere…

Maricopa, Gila, Pima and Pinal counties all received a letter grade of

AZ has some of nation's dirtiest air. Tailpipe pollution is part of problem

Arizona is ranked as having some of the worst areas for polluted air, according to a new report by the American Lung Association and advocates said …

Air pollution harms everyone's health but is a particular danger to babies, the elderly, people with heart or lung disease and people who work outside. (mmg1design/Adobe Stock)

13 CA counties get 'F' in new clean air report

California has some of the dirtiest air in the nation, according to the American Lung Association's new State of the Air report. Researchers looked …

Churchill, Clark and Washoe counties all have received a letter grade of

NV gets poor grades for air quality. Advocates urge strong emission standards

Nevada's counties have ranked as having some of the poorest air quality, according to a new report by the American Lung Association and advocates …

Experts say scammers blast text messages out in hopes they reach someone who has a car and drives where there may be tolls, where the scenario of owing a fee could be believable. (Adobe Stock)

Unpaid toll text scams on the rise in WI

Scam text messages impersonating the Wisconsin Department of Transportation and toll authorities are on the rise, despite the fact Wisconsin does not …

The average driver in Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District travels 9,300 miles and spends $1,398 on 430 gallons of gasoline annually, according to a report by Coltura. (Adobe Stock)

Congress could roll back Nebraska's choice on emissions standards

Congress could vote today on a measure to eliminate Nebraska's ability to set its own auto emission standards, which are among the most stringent in …

Under the Congressional Review Act, Congress has 60 legislative days to disapprove of new regulations. If no disapproval occurs, regulations remain in effect. (Herr Loeffler/Adobe Stock)

MI clean fuels expert speaks out as Congress aims to scrap EPA waivers

A Michigan clean fuels expert is weighing in as three Congressional resolutions introduced last week take aim at Environmental Protection Agency waive…

In the last two years, more than 100,000 jobs in EV manufacturing have been created. (Andrey Popov/Adobe Stock)

Congressional vote could slow WA's electric vehicle transition

Congress is voting this week whether to roll back states' authority to set their own, stricter clean car and truck emissions standards, which could …

A new report finds that many rural drivers spend more than $500 a month on gas, which can eat up to 15% of their paycheck. (Zedspider/Adobe Stock)

Congress considers rolling back CA clean car standards

Congress on Wednesday is expected to vote on a bill that would roll back California's authority to set strict clean car and truck standards. …

The United States has announced investments of more than $150 billion in electric vehicle manufacturing and charging infrastructure since 2021, contributing to a 40% increase in EV sales in 2022, according to the Department of Energy. (Adobe Stock)

Ohio's EV progress at risk as Congress considers emissions rollback

Congress is preparing to vote Wednesday on whether to roll back Ohio's authority to set tougher vehicle emissions standards. New research from …

More than 66,000 southeastern Arizona drivers pay more than $4,000 a year for gasoline, according to research from the nonprofit Coltura. (Adobe Stock)

How would rolling back EV standards affect AZ drivers?

Next week, Congress is expected to vote on whether to roll back states' authority to set their own clean car and truck standards. Research shows …

About 58,000 northern Nevada drivers pay more than $4,000 a year for gasoline, according to research from the nonprofit Coltura. (Adobe Stock)

NV adopted CA's 'clean car' standard, rule now under GOP examination

Next week, Congress is expected to vote on whether to roll back states' authority to set their own clean car and truck standards. Data show some …

With funding from Congress, the Lewis and Clark Regional Water System is new a wholesale provider of <br />cleaner water to 20 member cities and rural water systems in three states, including South Dakota. Local leaders said it is a good example of effective federal investments. (Photo courtesy of MN DOH)

SD communities say federal aid isn't 'waste' to them

CORRECTION: This web-version of the story initially listed Rep. Dusty Johnson as "Rep. Dusty Johnson, R-N.D." It has since been corrected to reflect …

The Ohio Department of Transportation defines a

OH parents seek tougher sentences for fatal school-zone collisions

Parents of students killed or injured in school-zone crosswalks are backing a measure in the Ohio General Assembly to increase the penalty from a misd…

The Empire Builder currently provides rail passenger service through Montana's Hi-Line, paralleling U.S. Highway 2 through the northern part of the state. The Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority hopes to expand service through eastern and southern Montana. (Adobe Stock)

Passenger rail funding bill narrowly fails Montana Senate vote

Communities in southern and eastern Montana were connected to passenger rail lines running from Chicago to Seattle until 1979. An effort to fund the …

Federal data show in 2023, an estimated 3,275 people were killed nationwide in distracted driving-related crashes. (Adobe Stock)

MN police chief: Drivers need to break cell phone habit

Law enforcement agencies are still trying to get the message through about the dangers and costs that stem from distracted driving. A Minnesota …

Places such as data centers are pushing up electricity demand across the United States. In Minnesota, observers say that's one of several issues complicating the proposed sale of Minnesota Power to a private equity firm. (Adobe Stock)

Ratepayers sound off on proposed sale of Minnesota Power

Public hearings continue tonight and tomorrow for the proposed sale of Minnesota's second largest utility. The deal is drawing a lot of attention…

Supporters of the pause have said it would not affect the number of electric vehicles sold in Maryland. (Adobe Stock)

MD automakers, health groups rally against delay in vehicle pollution standards

A bill would effectively delay implementation of clean car and truck programs in Maryland, but electric-vehicle manufacturers and health groups are …

Rural leaders in North Dakota said if they want to take advantage of people willing to relocate to their towns, they need to replace amenities that were lost over time, such as housing, retail and other needs. (Adobe Stock)

Could easy-to-grab data aid small-town planning? ND officials think so

North Dakota has launched a new centralized online data hub and small-town mayors see it as an asset because information is power in trying to make th…

Energy industry experts predict Ohio could lose 18,400 clean energy jobs by 2030 if Congress repeals the clean energy investment and tax credits included in the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act. (Adobe Stock)

Repeal of climate tax credits could cost thousands of Ohio jobs

Federal clean energy investment and tax credits have led to a surge of thousands of new jobs for Ohioans but a budget bill pending in Congress could b…

Tennessee's aviation infrastructure earned a

Report Card: TN gets 'C' for its infrastructure

Tennessee gets a grade of "C" in a new Report Card about the condition of America's infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers said the …

According to the American Society of Civil Engineers latest Report Card, 5.4% of the 12,974 bridges in Arkansas were structurally deficient in 2024. (Retrophoto/Adobe Stock)

Report: Major upgrades needed for AR infrastructure

The latest infrastructure Report Card from the American Society of Civil Engineers said Arkansas lags behind the rest of the nation when it comes to t…

A McKinsey analysis suggested global demand for data-center capacity could rise at an annual rate of between 19% and 22% from 2023 to 2030 to reach an annual demand of 171 to 219 gigawatts. (Adobe Stock)

High-impact data centers could pose WV energy, environment threats

Large, energy-intense buildings used in Bitcoin mining, cloud computing and artificial intelligence data processing industries could become more …

Bridges in Pennsylvania get a grade of 'D-plus' on the American Society of Civil Engineers report card, which said the state has the second-highest number of bridges in poor condition compared to other states. (Steven/Adobe Stock)<br /><br /><br /><br />

Report Card: PA gets 'C-minus' for its infrastructure

Pennsylvania gets a grade of "C-minus" in a new Report Card about the condition of America's infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers …

In the 2025 Report Card for America's Infrastructure, Montana scored a

Montana scores ‘C-minus’ on infrastructure report card

Montana scored a "C-minus" on a new Report Card for America's infrastructure. The American Society of Civil Engineers said the state's performance …

The nation's roadways still face a $684 billion funding gap over the next 10 years, according to the American Society of Civil Engineers. (Adobe Stock)

Has infrastructure improved in AZ, US? Not by much

A new report has found some progress has been made to improve the nation's aging infrastructure, but a lot more needs to be done. This week…

The Kansas City Area Transportation Authority was established in 1965 to unify regional transit, evolving into today's RideKC system of buses, streetcars and more. (Matthew/Adobe Stock)

Riders, IRIS and union bus drivers fight Kansas City transit cuts

Kansas City transit riders and workers are fighting proposed cuts, warning of a looming public transit crisis. Hundreds of advocates of the Kansas …

Homelessness among families with children in Colorado grew by 134% in 2024. (Adobe Stock)

Low-income Coloradans face severe affordable housing shortage

There are only 26 affordable housing units in Colorado for every 100 low-income households, according to a new report listing Colorado as the sixth …

According to the World Health Organization, climate change presents a fundamental threat to human health. (Adobe Stock)

Health and climate: A growing crisis in Florida

As the warming climate continues to reshape the environment, its impact on people's health is becoming increasingly evident in Florida. Doctors and …

The senior population is projected to exceed 95 million by 2060, indicating a growing demand for senior housing and related services. (WavebreakMediaMicro/Adobe Stock)

Cities in MI take action to become age-friendly

As Michigan's senior population steadily increases, the need for communities that prioritize their well-being becomes more critical. With nearly 2 …

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Oregon Department of Transportation mapped out wildlife collision

Wildlife crossings would make OR highways safer, save money

New legislation would help build more wildlife crossings across Oregon highways to make roads safer for people and animals. Research shows that …

Scranton received $68.7 million in federal funding through the American Rescue Plan Act. (Brandon/Adobe Stock)

Scranton mayor puts bipartisan infrastructure law funding to work

A Pennsylvania city is leveraging funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to improve road safety, housing, and more. The largest …

The Stark Area Regional Transit Authority is partnering with energy company Enbridge and the Appalachian Regional Clean Hydrogen Hub, or ARCH2, to make fuel at its Ohio site using solar power. (Kathiann M. Kowalski/Canary Media)

Ohio regional transit group plans shift to 'green' hydrogen for bus fleet

By Kathiann M. Kowalski for Canary Media.Broadcast version by Mark Richardson for Ohio News Connection reporting for the Solutions Journalism Network-…

The Trump administration is mandating many federal employees work in the office full-time, which puts remote workers who live in rural Wisconsin, far from their office buildings, at risk. (Adobe Stock). <br />

As federal cuts hit Wisconsinites, one group pitches in to help

Communities in Wisconsin are feeling the widespread effects of federal cuts and some organizations are pitching in to help those who have experienced …

New York City's program is the only one charging drivers to get into the congested area, but New York isn't the only city with congestion pricing. (Adobe Stock)

NYers push back on federal attempts to end 'congestion pricing'

As the U.S. Department of Transportation tries to end New York City's congestion pricing program, the move is getting some pushback from people who …

The New York Metropolitan Transit Authority estimates up to 48% of bus riders and 14% of subway riders board public transit without paying. (Adobe Stock)

Fully funding NYC public transit could reduce fare evasion, crime

By Justin A. Davis for Yes! Media.Broadcast version by Edwin J. Viera for New York News Connection reporting for the Yes! Media-Public News Service …

Each year, visitors flock to Monte Vista in Colorado's San Luis Valley for a chance to see Greater Sandhill Cranes. (Adobe Stock)

Connecting the recreation dots with a two mile bike and pedestrian trail

By Ilana Newman for The Daily Yonder.Broadcast version by Eric Galatas for Colorado News Connection for the Public News Service/Daily Yonder Collabora…

AARP Community Challenge grants have helped launch community gardens, which help improve livability for residents in a number of ways. (Adobe Stock)

Grants available to make Colorado communities more livable

AARP Colorado is accepting applications from nonprofits and local governments across the state for this year's Community Challenge grant program…

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