San Francisco, Portland, and San Diego lead the charge to ensure everything from power grids to building codes are prepared for arrival of electric cars.
The first wave of electric cars is expected to hit the markets at the end of 2010, with the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, which will travel up to 100 and 40 miles, respectively, on fully charged batteries. Urban areas in the west are starting to plan now for their arrival, encouraged by excited consumers.
"In cities like San Francisco, Portland, Ore., and San Diego, a combination of green consciousness and enthusiasm for new technology seems to be stirring public interest in the cars."
Preparations include everything from creating infrastructure to revising codes. San Francisco is revising its building code to ensure that new buildings have chargers, some nearby high-tech companies are ordering charging stations to be installed immediately, and Pacific Gas and Electric is hard at work ensuring that the power grid will be ready to support neighborhoods with heavy electric car use.
FULL STORY: Cities Prepare for Life with the Electric Car

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Defunct Pittsburgh Power Plant to Become Residential Tower
A decommissioned steam heat plant will be redeveloped into almost 100 affordable housing units.

Trump Prompts Restructuring of Transportation Research Board in “Unprecedented Overreach”
The TRB has eliminated more than half of its committees including those focused on climate, equity, and cities.

Amtrak Rolls Out New Orleans to Alabama “Mardi Gras” Train
The new service will operate morning and evening departures between Mobile and New Orleans.
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