Tesla just won a competitive bid to supply utility-scale power in Southern California—providing security in the event of a catastrophe like the Porter Ranch methane leak.
"Tesla Motors Inc. will supply 20 megawatts (80 megawatt-hours) of energy storage to Southern California Edison as part of a wider effort to prevent blackouts by replacing fossil-fuel electricity generation with lithium-ion batteries," reports Tom Randall.
The Tesla blog announced the deal, which comes as a response to the Aliso Canyon natural gas rupture, which displaced more than 8,000 Southern Californians between October 2015 and February 2016.
Tesla will build and deliver a 20 MW/80 MWh "Powerpack" system to the Southern California Edison Mira Loma substation by the end of the year. Of the speed of the project, according to Randall, is the "real significance" of the deal.
Randall also puts the deal in context of an expanding market for utility-scale battery storage, as well as Tesla's long-term vision as a clean-energy company.
FULL STORY: Tesla Wins Massive Contract to Help Power the California Grid

Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.

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

Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?

LA to Replace Inglewood Light Rail Project With Bus Shuttles
LA Metro says the change is in response to community engagement and that the new design will be ready before the 2028 Olympic Games.

Paris Voters Approve More Car-Free Streets
Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo says the city will develop a plan to close 500 streets to car traffic and add new bike and pedestrian infrastructure after a referendum on the proposal passed with 66 percent of the vote.

Making Mobility More Inclusive
A new study highlights the challenges people with disabilities continue to face in navigating urban spaces.
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