This week, eSolar debuted the first solar thermal power tower in the U.S., which they say is a step forward in technology and affordability.
Dan Reicher, Director of Climate Change & Energy Initiatives for Google, spoke at the opening:
"Please understand the innovation of what you see before you today. eSolar has turned solar on its head: instead of deploying large and expensive mirrors, it uses small, cheap mirrors in mass quantities. Lots of mirrors need good software to track the sun, and we're intrigued about how ET meets IT (energy tech meets information tech). With this software now written it can take advantage of economies of scale of millions of mirrors and the motors that move them."
FULL STORY: eSolar Flips the Switch on First Solar Power Tower in U.S.

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

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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