Making Energy Work
SSDN Policy Director Caitlin Rose recently attended the 2025 Making Energy Work Conference in Raleigh, NC. Hosted by NC Sustainable Energy Association, the conference is designed to shape policies that advance an accessible and affordable clean energy economy for all.
Read MoreMeet the Volterra: Cary, N.C.’s First Electric Fire Truck!
The Town of Cary Fire Department made history recently when they officially put the Pierce Volterra electric pumper into service, the first of its kind on the East Coast. The Volterra created a quieter, safer work environment, allowing firefighters to hear one another more clearly and focus during high-stakes moments. This investment demonstrates SSDN member…
Read MoreAn Energizing Afternoon at Climate Week NYC
Our staff was honored to speak at the Future We Steward Together event at Climate Week NYC recently. It was a space to reflect, imagine, and connect around the role networks play in advancing bold, community-based climate action. Together with our co-hosts, we explored how networks must lead the way as tools for trust, accountability,…
Read MoreAs seasons change, so do we
As the season changes, so do we As we move into fall, a season of change, we’ve also had some changes within SSDN. We do not anticipate the changes to impact the amazing services SSDN staff provides to our member communities. We remain steadfast in our mission. Interim Executive Director Ann Livingston has accepted an…
Read MoreGreen Minds Podcast EP: 29 – AI & Sustainability
Listen to this month’s podcast AI is already transforming how we manage energy, model climate risks, and optimize city services—but it also has a growing environmental footprint. How can we use AI sustainably? In this episode of Green Minds, host @Dr. Shaleen Miller speaks with Dr. Arun Majumdar, Dean of @Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability…
Read MoreMember Spotlight: Savannah, GA
Our Georgia Policy Manager, Joy Ward, recently headed to Savannah to connect with Interim Director of Programs, Nick Deffley, and the City of Savannah’s newly fully staffed Sustainability Department. Savannah has been a committed SSDN member since 2014 and continues to lead the way with its 100% Savannah Plan—including bold commitments to renewable energy, energy…
Read MoreA Framework for a Heat-Ready Nation
Extreme heat is now the deadliest climate threat in the U.S., and its impacts are growing along corridors like I-10, where communities face rising temperatures, rapid growth, and strained infrastructure. That’s why the new “Framework for a Heat-Ready Nation” from the Federation of American Scientists and the Ten Across Resilience Network is such a critical…
Read MoreState Allocations of Clean Water Revolving Funds?
SSDN’s Environmental Finance Center staff joined partners at the Rural Community Assistance Partnership’s National State Revolving Fund Infrastructure Financing and Training Workshop to learn, share, and strengthen our collective efforts to ensure water affordability and resilience. The need is urgent: according to EPA, roughly 9% of U.S. households spend more than 4.5% of their income…
Read MoreGrant Spotlight: Investing in Local Climate Resilience
We’re thrilled to announce that several of our member communities have been awarded grants through the Climate Smart Communities Initiative (CSCI)! Here’s what’s happening: Boynton Beach, FL, has received $100,000 to develop a data-informed, community-driven urban heat resilience strategy, including efforts around tree canopy expansion and cooling infrastructure. Chatham County, GA, secured $110,787 to create…
Read MoreRichmond Battles Heat with New Cool Kit
The City of Richmond’s Office of Sustainability (an SSDN member community) just released its first-ever heat mitigation guide, the Richmond Cool Kit, with 25 evidence-based strategies to help city staff and community members tackle extreme heat. It’s a timely, practical resource designed to cool down both public and private spaces—because every degree matters. We’re proud…
Read MoreGreen Minds Podcast: Careers in Sustainability
Our August episode of Green Minds dives into the realities of landing—and thriving—in sustainability jobs, especially in local government. From breaking into the field to stepping into leadership roles like Chief Sustainability Officer, our guests Abena Ojetayo with the City of Tallahassee and Shelby Buso, formerly with the City of Atlanta and now with the…
Read MoreCommunity Resilience Hubs: Infrastructure That Connects and Protects
By Anita Tillman, AMCorp International Every city needs bridges. Roads. Drainage systems. We invest in these structures not just because we use them every day, but because they help us weather the disruption, stay connected, and return to normal after disaster. Today, the Southeast faces a new kind of infrastructure imperative – one designed not…
Read MoreSE Communities Leading the Way on Heat Resilience
We’re excited to share that New Orleans, LA, and Memphis, TN, both SSDN members, have been selected as 2025 Community Science Partners through the Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring (CCHM), a national collaboration of science centers and technical experts. This work will support locally driven efforts to collect and use data on extreme heat, air…
Read MoreCelebrating Our TN Member Communities
From microgrids to municipal fleet transitions, check out what our member communities in Tennessee are doing: Knoxville is driving change with a Green Fleet Policy, a decarbonization plan for public transit, and a partnership with Knoxville Utilities Board’s community solar array program. It’s aiming for a 50% cut in municipal emissions by 2030 and…
Read MoreGreen Minds Podcast: Climate Action Plans
Does your community have a Climate Action Plan, Climate Vulnerability or Risk Assessment? Are you interested in one? Take a deep dive with us as we explore what makes a successful plan on our Green Minds podcast, which just dropped today. Host Dr. Robyn Byers interviews Leif Olson of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and Michelle Midanier of…
Read MoreWest Palm Beach Energy Milestone
We’re celebrating a big win for the SSDN member community West Palm Beach, which has been recognized by the U.S. Department of Energy as a 2024 Better Buildings Challenge Goal Achiever! By reducing energy use by 16% across all municipal buildings and infrastructure, the City cemented its status as a leader in municipal energy efficiency…
Read MoreWhat’s in Your Energy/Water Efficiency Kit?
LED lightbulbs? Low-flow showerheads? Our sustainability experts recently discussed what items they provide to homeowners and renters as part of their community sustainability efforts as well as which items had an impact and what items just weren’t effective. These kits help community members try out items they might not otherwise purchase so they can see…
Read MoreWhat’s the Buzz about Bee Cities?
Pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds are essential to healthy ecosystems, local agriculture, and biodiversity—but they’re in trouble. That’s where Bee City USA steps in, helping communities take meaningful steps to protect these vital species. Becoming a Bee City means your community commits to: ✅ Creating and enhancing pollinator habitats ✅ Educating the public about…
Read MoreCongrats to Our Very Own Energy Exec: Jake!
We’re proud to share that SSDN’s Jake Leech has been selected to join the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) 2025 Executive Energy Leadership program (Energy Execs)! This prestigious four-month leadership program brings together 19 professionals from across the country to dive deep into cutting-edge clean energy technologies, tools, and innovations. Jake’s…
Read MoreBuilt Shade: A Critical Tool in Heat Resilience
When it comes to beating the heat, trees are a great solution, but they aren’t the only solution — and in places like East Tampa, built shade is playing a vital role in protecting communities. As highlighted by Kayla Caselli with the City of Tampa and featured in the Tampa Heat Resilience Playbook, built shade…
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