Pittsburgh PA Releases Food Action Plan: Pittsburgh PA released a comprehensive plan with community-centered strategies including enhancing coordination and communication among existing food systems’ resources and agencies; centering equity, sustainable agriculture, and environmental stewardship; and supporting a robust regional food economy that benefits everyone.

Atlanta GA Releases Housing Affordability Action Plan: Atlanta GA released the One Atlanta: Housing Affordability Action Plan to increase the availability of housing for the growing population, which includes goals to improve building and zoning codes and to establish a Housing Innovation Lab.

Sacramento CA Approves Citywide Zoning Reforms: The Sacramento CA City Council voted to eliminate traditional single-family zoning, allowing residential parcels to contain up to four dwelling units in an effort to alleviate their affordable housing crisis, while also eliminating parking minimums.

Asheville NC Engages with BIPOC Communities for Climate Justice Initiative: Asheville NC provided an update following its declaration of climate emergency including the development of a Climate Justice Data Map and engagement efforts with BIPOC community leaders to understand the climate challenges in frontline communities.

Ann Arbor MI Engages Community on Sustainability Goals with Forums: Ann Arbor MI is holding a virtual annual sustainability forum series spotlighting their A2Zero Climate Action Plan and how residents can help the city reach their goals including more sustainable food systems, waste reduction, and energy efficiency.

Santa Barbara CA Launches Together to Zero Campaign: Santa Barbara CA launched their Together to Zero/Juntos a Cero campaign to engage the public in their climate action planning process through surveys and virtual events including webinars and neighborhood listening sessions.

Los Angeles CA Partners with University of Southern California for Urban Trees Initiative: Los Angeles CA and USC will work together to plant an urban forest in the Eastside communities of the city, which have been historically underserved and most impacted by pollution, lack of shade, and heat islands.

Fort Collins CO Adopts Housing Strategic Plan: Fort Collins CO adopted a Housing Strategic Plan to address the rising cost of housing and its disproportionate impact on marginalized and low-income communities through increasing housing supply, affordability, diversity, equity, and stability.

New York City NY Releases Food Policy Plan: New York City NY released their first ten year food policy plan called Food Forward NYC with goals including access to healthy, affordable, and culturally appropriate food for all residents and sustainable production, distribution, and disposal of food.

ACEEE Ranks Small Cities on Clean Energy: The ACEEE analyzed and ranked 30 small U.S. cities in five states - including USDN members San Luis Obispo CA, Manhattan Beach CA, West Hollywood CA, Rockville MD, Dublin CA, Rochester MN, Takoma Park MD, and Bloomington MN - on policies and programs to reduce energy usage and to embrace clean energy.

USDN Members Join We Are Still in Climate Campaign: 89 USDN member communities are among the 1,500 U.S. cities, states, tribal nations, businesses, universities, faith groups, cultural institutions, and healthcare organizations that signed the We Are Still In pledge, encouraging the incoming administration and federal policymakers to recommit to the Paris Climate Agreement and lead a national response to climate change.

Cambridge MA Mandates Climate Warnings on Gas Pumps: Cambridge MA is the first city in the U.S. to mandate climate warnings on gas pumps through yellow stickers that warn drivers about the major consequences of burning gasoline, diesel, and ethanol.

Boston MA Announces Community Choice Electricity Program: Boston MA announced a Community Choice Electricity program through a partnership with the local utility that provides an opt-out program for customers to choose an affordable electricity option and utilize renewable energy.

Bozeman MT, Missoula MT, and Helena MT Partner on Clean Energy: USDN members Bozeman and Missoula MT are partnering with Helena MT to hire a consultant to develop a green tariff program with their local utility, allowing customers to pay a special rate to get their energy sourced from renewables.

Cleveland OH to Launch Circular Cleveland Initiative: Cleveland OH is launching a 2-year initiative called Circular Cleveland to help the city design a circular economy system that eliminates waste and pollution, keeps products and materials in use for a long time, and creates new jobs.

Lawrence KS Incorporates Green New Deal Principles in City Plans: Lawrence KS will incorporate elements of the Green New Deal into their city plans including goals related to environmentally sustainable jobs and infrastructure.

Philadelphia PA Releases Transit Plan: Philadelphia PA released a transit plan to provide safe, equitable, and affordable transportation through actions, including improving bus stop infrastructure, adding new bus lanes, and adopting electric buses.