Three years ago, Boulder grabbed international attention when it announced plans to construct a "smart grid" of high tech tools to help cut its electricity consumption. But that project has gone way over budget.
Despite the project racking up huge costs, city leaders are still pushing it forward, arguing that as early adopters of a new idea they had to expect some hurdles.
"Xcel spent $44.8 million on SmartGridCity, a whopping three times what the utility had planned to spend alone. Xcel argues that the pilot project - which relied in part on donations from corporate partners to cover a total budget of $100 million - was the best way to get answers on how to roll out smart grid more widely. 'Somebody has to go out first, and get a bloody nose on it. That's the bleeding edge of technology,' says Ken Wilson, Boulder's deputy mayor who is also a smart-grid consultant.
Getting the smart grid right is hugely important, not just for Boulder but for cities everywhere. The concept of the smart grid is to use information technology, such as sensors and digital meters, to help cities mitigate the strain of rising energy use. In theory, the smart grid allows utilities and consumers to make smarter choices about power usage."
FULL STORY: For Electricity 2.0, a Short Circuit in Boulder
Depopulation Patterns Get Weird
A recent ranking of “declining” cities heavily features some of the most expensive cities in the country — including New York City and a half-dozen in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Pennsylvania Mall Conversion Bill Passes House
If passed, the bill would promote the adaptive reuse of defunct commercial buildings.
California Exodus: Population Drops Below 39 Million
Never mind the 40 million that demographers predicted the Golden State would reach by 2018. The state's population dipped below 39 million to 38.965 million last July, according to Census data released in March, the lowest since 2015.
Google Maps Introduces New Transit, EV Features
It will now be easier to find electric car charging stations and transit options.
Ohio Lawmakers Propose Incentivizing Housing Production
A proposed bill would take a carrot approach to stimulating housing production through a grant program that would reward cities that implement pro-housing policies.
Chicago Awarded $2M Reconnecting Communities Grant
Community advocates say the city’s plan may not do enough to reverse the negative impacts of a major expressway.
City of Costa Mesa
Licking County
Barrett Planning Group LLC
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
Mpact Transit + Community
HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research
City of Universal City TX
ULI Northwest Arkansas
Town of Zionsville
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