Mauenheim is the first village in the German state of Baden-Wuerttemberg to meet its electrical and hot water needs completely locally from renewable sources. Electrical generations from biogas combusted in the cogeneration unit as well as electrical power from several solar power stations are fed into the local electrical grid. In addition to the environmental advantages of renewable energy sources, the project also has a high regional economical value: purchasing power stays local, as the value of energy stays in the community.

The MTA's new report, "Sustainability and the MTA," outlines a transit program for the New York metro region that could well be applied to other metro regions.

San Francisco's Bay Conservation and Development Commission is preparing to launch a $125,000 competition that will invite architects, planners and engineers to bring innovative proposals "to climate-proof the Bay Area," in the words of the competition outline. There is hope that some of the designs produced may be useful to other communities in similar situations.

'Combined heat and power' (CHP) plants and 'district heating' systems have been around for well over a hundred years. And yet, only a handful of modern cities and towns have made use of these highly efficient technologies until very recently. Now that we've rediscovered CHP and district heating, what role will they play in retrofitting our economies to rely on local energy?

Cleveland's new bus rapid transit project, the Health Line, is already a great boon to the city and represents a model of wise infrastructure investment.

The San Antonio Express-News presents a series of posts on energy and transportation relating to a proposed light rail system -- contrasting San Antonio's development and transportation patterns with those of Portland, Ore. San Antonio formed a transportation task force in June 2008 to ensure mobility in the face of rising energy costs.

The commissioners of McDowell County in North Carolina have voted to purchase a diesel storage tank, in order to save money on fuel costs and be prepared for future shortages. They already have a similar tank for gasoline, but emergency services and waste collection vehicles require diesel.

Students of all ages are heading back to school this month. Post Carbon Cities Program Manager Daniel Lerch looks at what energy and climate uncertainty means for schools -- and what schools can do for the communities they serve.

As energy technologies evolve, their relationship to their surroundings also changes. Recently, attention has shifted to decentralized supplies and the effects of transportation, land use, and buildings on energy demand. It is time for planners to pay attention to the new spatial structure of energy systems. This article lays out some approaches planners could use to be more effective.

A panel of national and state experts focused on the role of transportation in a future marked by steeply rising energy costs, global warming and economic uncertainties at a "Transportation 2035" symposium on June 26, sponsored by the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA). Daniel Lerch was among the panel speakers.