Center of Development Excellence December 2024 Newsletter

At Southern Methodist University, sustainability leadership and research take center stage, driving positive change in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and beyond.

The SMU Lyle School of Engineering’s Sustainability and Development Program (SDP) offers a distinctive opportunity for students to explore and implement environmental, social, and economic solutions. Designed for students from diverse fields—such as engineering, finance, design, and social sciences—the program emphasizes a project-based, stakeholder-focused curriculum. It prepares students to tackle real-world challenges in urban development, climate action, and resource management through strategic, sustainable solutions. A key feature of the program is its partnership with the SMU Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity. This collaboration bridges research, community-focused projects, and practical engagement, enabling students to apply sustainability principles to real-world scenarios. Through this synergy, the SDP equips students to become informed leaders in creating a sustainable future.

The SMU Hunt Institute for Engineering & Humanity is dedicated to developing and scaling sustainable, affordable technologies and solutions for under-resourced communities. Among its many initiatives, the Institute hosts ImpactNights, a monthly gathering of professionals, faculty, and students with a mission to share knowledge, foster collective action, and advance solutions for pressing sustainability issues to build a climate-smart inclusive economy. Each month, professionals highlight and discuss a different sustainability topic with the intention of informing and engaging SMU and the greater community. To emphasize community engagement, topics and session leaders are proposed and led by Hunt Institute Fellows and regional community leaders. Past sessions have addressed timely subjects such as extreme heat, circular economies, energy innovation, and food resiliency in North Texas. By hosting these ImpactNights, the Hunt Institute hopes to catalyze innovative solutions, empower community-driven action, and build a network of changemakers dedicated to creating a more sustainable and equitable future. Over the past four years, ImpactNights has hosted 100 sessions led by more than 120 leaders.

This past semester, the Hunt Institute hosted an ImpactNight on October 7th, exploring the benefits of deconstruction and material recovery. An expert panel of material consultants, industry leaders, and city representatives highlighted how dismantling buildings to salvage reusable materials can address landfill issues and reduce reliance on virgin resources for new construction. Given the rapid growth in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, adopting practices like deconstruction and platforms such as Rheaply offers North Texas businesses and municipalities a clear path toward sustainability and circularity. NCTCOG's Chair of the Resource Conservation Council, Kathy Fonville, showed support for this timely discussion, playing both the roles of panelist and engaged audience member.

To stay informed about future ImpactNights, follow the Hunt Institute on Eventbrite:https://www.eventbrite.com/o/hunt-institute-for-engineering-humanity-29768431507.

For more information about the SMU Sustainability and Development Program, please visit https://smusdp.com/.

In preparing for a changing climate, resilience hubs have gained momentum in both the public and private sector as a way to reduce risk and help create more vibrant, livable communities. Led by the community, these facilities provide a safe and trusted space for community members before, during, and after disruptions. Communities that have been historically marginalized by land use policies and real estate practices are often at greater risk from climate hazards with limited capacity to adapt, making resilience hubs especially beneficial to these groups. While often located in community facilities such as libraries, schools, or churches, resilience hubs take many shapes and can be integrated into any development project.

To serve as a resilience hub, facilities often require a series of upgrades so that they are capable of meeting the needs of the community. While resilience hubs are designed for the specific community they serve, some of the common features of resilience hubs include:

Access to electricity, heating, and cooling;
Food and water;
Tools, resources, and information; and
Basic health and medical supplies.

More information on resilience hubs can be found in USDN’s Guide to Developing Resilience Hubs. Additionally, you can watch ULI’s webinar to learn how resilience hubs in Detroit, MI and O’ahu, HI have been co-designed in collaboration with community members.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently launched their new website, the Climate Resilience and Adaptation Funding Toolbox (CRAFT). Created to support technical assistance providers with those looking to invest in climate-resilient projects, CRAFT includes materials on EPA funding programs with climate considerations; climate risk tools and resources; and communication materials to help facilitate meaningful discussions. By utilizing these materials, potential funding applicants can learn about and secure funding for climate-smart investments, as well as reduce the administrative burden on applicants and recipients as they work to develop these projects. To explore and learn more about the toolbox, visit the EPA’s CRAFT Webpage.

The University of North Texas Economic Research Group (ERG) recently conducted a study on Transit-oriented developments in the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) service area. The study revealed nearly $1 billion generated in direct spending and the creation of 11,000 jobs between 2019 and 2021 in these Transit-oriented developments. Evaluating 31 development projects completed within ¼ mile of DART stations, the study confirms long-held beliefs of DART’s positive impact on the region’s economic vitality, highlighting the value DART adds to development in the DFW region.

The latest economic impact study is just one of many studies that UNT’s ERG has been commissioned by DART to conduct over the last 25 years. With a cumulative economic impact of $17.1 billion, the 700-mile DART Service Area continues to prove itself as an important asset in the region. Moving forward, DART will continue to work with cities to develop plans for station areas that are mutually beneficial and support further developer investment.

In an effort to increase healthy prairie habitat and pollinator populations, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Foundation has rolled out a new program called Pollinators and Prairies. By supporting public outreach efforts, native plant restoration, and scientific research, the Pollinators and Prairies program will work to combat the decline in grassland habitat and associated wildlife that has been impacting Texas prairies for decades. Through the program, Texas Parks and Wildlife is not seeking to duplicate existing restoration efforts but rather bring together a collaborative coalition of partners and provide funding that supports engagement with private and public landowners.

Texas Parks and Wildlife is taking a four-pronged approach with the Pollinators and Prairies program and is focusing on the following efforts: outreach, restoration, research, and partnerships. Outreach will focus on encouraging Texans to plant native grasses and wildflowers, as well as grow pocket prairies in their yards and communities. The program will also engage with public and private landowners through restoration, working to conserve the native prairies. To better understand what is causing declining pollinator populations and their native prairie habitats, the program will support research and scientific efforts. Finally, through partnership, the program will identify mission-aligned nonprofits and amplify their work. Together, these efforts will play a critical role in restoring and protecting the prairie lands of the state.

With the promise of increased and more intense storms due to climate change, it is important that residents are prepared for these events so that they can stay safe and protect their homes. While cities can play a critical role in supporting residents, it is important to understand what networks are already in place and how cities can support ongoing work being done by residents. A recent study on “Closing the Climate Gap” was conducted in an attempt to understand where cities fall short when incorporating local knowledge into climate planning.

The study took place in the Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos area, a region described as experiencing a one-way street for knowledge transfer from city to resident with limited local feedback being incorporated back into city climate work. To gather local feedback, researchers interviewed participants from the Go! Austin/Vamos! Austin organization. The organization formed the Climate Navigators program in collaboration with the City of Austin to create an online portal, training system, and planning process that establishes a bidirectional flow of climate information between residents and the city.

25 Climate Navigators and six municipal staff involved in adaptation-related work were interviewed to understand how local knowledge can be incorporated into climate adaptation planning. Researchers identified three key takeaways for climate adaptation planning out of these interviews:

Increase acknowledgement of and attention to mental health effects
Integrate local knowledge about community capacity
Consider incorporating local knowledge to build trust

Although the study was conducted in the Austin area, these findings contribute to larger conversations around climate adaptation planning and highlight the importance of two-way communication between cities and their residents.

Applications are now open for the 2025 LEED for Cities Certification Cohort. USGBC’s annual LEED for Cities Certification Cohort is an application-based program for local governments ready to certify in the LEED v4.1 for Cities and Communities: Existing Cities rating system. Beyond working towards the certification, the cohort also provides local governments with the opportunity to network and collaborate with participants from across the nation. Jurisdictions that already have the required prerequisite data available and have a drive to certify are the target participants for this cohort. To build momentum toward institutionalizing sustainability in their local government, cohort participants will meet monthly for targeted education and assistance. It is expected that participants submit for certification within 12 months of starting the program.

The program is accepting applications through February 14th, 2025, with selected governments to be notified in March and the program to commence April 1st. Commencing the program, participants will participate in a multiday online training where they will receive an orientation on tools and resources and have the opportunity to network with other participants. Additional networking opportunities will occur throughout the year with both small groups and the monthly cohort calls.

Those interested in participating in the 2025 LEED for Cities Certification Cohort can download the application and review the program information packet. There will also be an informational webinar held on January 8, 2025, at 12:00 PM E.T. with a live program overview and a Q&A session. Webinar registration is open here.

The refuse industry has recently seen a significant push towards reducing emissions, with refuse collections vehicles (RCVs) playing a central role in this shift. RCVs drive a high number of miles daily while having a low fuel economy, making them one of the most emission-intensive vehicle types. It is therefore unsurprising that electrification of RCVs is a prime candidate for reducing emissions in the refuse industry.

Vehicles should be optimized for their application, so it is important to consider route variables such as total miles, number of collections, and payload when considering fleet electrification. In situations where there is a low risk in electrifying with existing class 8 vehicle capabilities, replacing a diesel RCV with an electric RCV is going to deliver maximum emissions reduction. However, in scenarios where this is not feasible, there are still changes that can be made to support sustainability goals. One approach to consider is an electric side loader body (eASL). Powered by its own independent battery, an eASL eliminates power from the chassis, thus reducing both energy requirements and fuel consumption. Additionally, the charger required for eASLs is more readily available and lower cost than that required for fully electric RCVs, making them a great option for communities lacking the charging infrastructure to completely transition their fleet to electric.

There are multiple challenges to electrification of RCVs, and no one solution is going to work for every application. However, technology is continuing to evolve with alternative solutions becoming commercially available, making electrification to some degree a possibility for everyone. Further information about refuse electrification can be found on the Waste Advantage website.

The Celebrating Leadership in Development Excellence (CLIDE) Awards is a biannual program that honors development and planning projects that exemplify the region’s Principles of Development Excellence. These principles outline a vision for sustainable, livable communities in North Texas. The North Central Texas Council of Governments is looking for projects and programs in North Texas that exemplify these projects. Categories for submittal include New Development; Redevelopment; Special Development; Raising Public Awareness; and Public Policy and Planning. Applications for the 2025 CLIDE Awards will be opening in early February of 2025. Please visit the Center of Development Excellence website for more information.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Climate Program Office is hosting a five-part webinar series focused on the research and application of nature-based solutions for climate adaptation. Funded by the Climate and Societal Interactions (CSI) Division’s Adaptation Sciences (AdSci) and Climate Adaptation Partnerships (CAP) programs, each webinar will highlight a nature-based solutions project. There is one remaining webinar sessions in the series:

Challenges and Opportunities of Scaling Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Adaptation: January 23, 2025, at 1:00 PM ET. Register here.

Recordings of the previous four webinars in the series are available to watch on the Nature-Based Solutions Webinar Series webpage.

The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) is hosting a virtual workshop on Emissions Inventory (EI) and Air Fees Reporting on January 23, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. The workshop will cover 2024 updates on EI and Air Fees reporting, the state implementation plan, National Ambient Air Quality Standard for particulate matter less than 2.5 micrometers (PM2.5), and Air Fees updates. Registration is now open at no cost to attend. Professional Engineers and Geoscientists can earn 2.5 Continuing Education Hours by self-reporting post-attendance.

The North Texas Regional Integration of Sustainability Efforts (RISE) Coalition works to engage interested local governments in peer-exchange opportunities to support sustainability and environmental initiatives. Coalition meetings are open to the public; local government staff working on sustainability, environmental, and climate initiatives are encouraged to attend.

The next RISE Coalition meeting is scheduled for January 29, 2025, at 9:30 AM. The meeting will be held virtually via Microsoft Teams. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP here.

For more information about the RISE Coalition, visit the RISE Coalition website. The RISE Coalition website provides information about past and upcoming meetings.

The University of Texas at Arlington’s Environmental Training Institute is hosting a virtual symposium on EV Battery and Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technologies on February 7, 2025, from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Innovations in EV battery technology and hydrogen fuel are leading the charge in clean energy as we transition towards a sustainable future. Come join industry experts, researchers, and innovators for a day of engaging presentations, in-depth discussions, and networking opportunities. Connect virtually from anywhere in the world, network with like-minded individuals, and gain valuable insights from esteemed speakers. The agenda and registration for the symposium are available on the event page.

The Midwest and North Central sectors of Texas APA are hosting Focus North Texas on February 21, 2025, at the Westin Galleria Dallas. This one-day planning symposium is a regional training and continuing education event for city planning related topics. This year’s theme is “Let’s Grow Together” and will focus on how planners can prepare communities and the North Texas region for growth. As the region continues to grow, so too must the built environment. There are many factors to consider, including but not limited to housing, highway construction, rapid transit expansion, and schools. This symposium will seek to answer questions about how to prepare for this growth, the most effective way for a small town to grow into a city, how to maintain fairness and equity, and more. Registration is now open for those interested in attending.

Registration for passes to the EarthX2025 Congress of Conferences is now open. This 5-day, comprehensive conference is on April 21-25, 2025, at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, and features conversations with environmental, business, and political leaders. Furthermore, the event highlights bold solutions for the future of the planet and provides multiple networking opportunities. By breaking down political and industry silos, EarthX Congress of Conferences provides opportunities to bridge perspectives, leverage expertise, and foster collaboration across multiple groups to drive progress towards environmental solutions. The following disciplines have been outlined for EarthX2025:

The Future of Energy (04/21)
The Circular Economy (04/22)
The Blue Economy and Ocean Conservation (04/23)
Conservation, Biodiversity, and Habitat and Land Management (04/24)

The full conference agenda and registration are available on the EarthX website.

The fourth round of funding for the Environmental Protection Agency’s Clean School Bus Rebates Program is now open. Building on almost $3 billion worth of prior investment into cleaner school bus technologies, up to $956 million is available for school districts to transition to further improve air quality in and around schools, reduce greenhouse gas pollution, and accelerate the transition towards clean vehicles. Applicants may request up to $325,000 per bus for up to 50 buses. Funding can go towards both bus and infrastructure costs, as well as eligible training for bus drivers, electricians, and others working with the new buses and infrastructures. Furthermore, funding can be combined with tax credits through the Inflation Reduction Act.

Local or State governmental entities responsible for either providing school bus service to one or more public school systems, or for the purchase, lease, license, or contract for service of school buses; a public charter school district responsible for service of school buses for that charter school; or Regional Education Service Agency or Joint Transportation Agency with an NCES ID specific to either RESA or JTA are all eligible to apply. Those interested should apply by January 9, 2025.

Are you interested in working with your community to collect heat distribution data? The National Integrated Heat Health Information System’s (NIHHIS) Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring is accepting applications from all types of U.S. communities interested in receiving technical support and a $10,000 stipend for the co-development of a community-based heat data collection campaign. While all communities are welcome to apply, applications from communities who have experience historical patterns of discrimination, underinvestment, and disenfranchisement, and have limited resources are especially encouraged. Communities interested in applying should do so by January 17th, 2025. The application, along with additional information about the program is available on the NIHHIS Center for Collaborative Heat Monitoring webpage.

The US Department of Transportation (USDOT) has announced a FY2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity for their Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant Program. Previously known as the Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) and Transportation Investment Generating Economic Recovery (TIGER) discretionary grants, the program has awarded over $15 billion in funding across sixteen rounds to local governments, Tribes, transit and port authorities, states, and other entities for capital and planning projects.

States, territories, local governments, public agencies, and transit agencies are among some of the many eligible applicants, with applicants able to submit up to three applications. RAISE will fund eligible surface transportation projects that will have a significant local or regional impact and advance the priorities of safety, equity, climate and sustainability, and workforce development, job quality, and wealth creation. All interested applicants must submit their application by January 30, 2025, to be considered. Additional information about the program and eligibility can be found in the Notice of Funding Opportunity.

The Department of Energy’s Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy has launched the Good Jobs in Clean Energy Prize (Prize) under the American-Made Challenges Program umbrella. The Prize aims to create quality jobs and foster an inclusive and equitable workforce in clean energy through the formation of place-based coalitions. Each coalition will be working to address a specific workforce development challenge. These groups will also focus on a clean energy employment opportunity for a target audience in a defined geographical area. Through the Prize, coalitions will be equipped with the tools to ensure that good jobs and access to these jobs by target populations are being achieved through clean energy programs and investments.

In order to be eligible, each coalition is required to have at least one representative from each of the following stakeholder groups:

Labor organizations
Clean energy employers
Community-based organizations
Public agencies
Education and workforce providers

The deadline to apply for this opportunity is January 31, 2025. More information can be found on the program website and by watching the informational webinar.