Casinos are energy intensive and often located in areas with specific resource constraints and surpluses (i.e., Las Vegas), thus they offer a perfect case study for the future of solar energy.

Tovin Lapan offers an in-depth examination of the current state of electricity production in Las Vegas—where casinos and other consumers are looking for flexible options for producing solar energy.
The continued emergence of solar power, however, is "a growing predicament for power companies," according to Lapan. "While corporations are motivated to 'go green,' their push to be more energy efficient leaves the utility with less revenue to maintain the grid and can lead to rate increases. This can cause what energy market observers call the 'death spiral.'"
In Las Vegas, the state-regulated energy monopoly goes by the name NV Energy. With Las Vegas' large companies and surplus of sunshine, NV Energy is challenged by a constant pressure from companies seeking to generate energy on their own land, and on their own terms. "Confronted with increased use of solar power as the systems become more affordable, the company has moved to stabilize revenue," writes Lapan. "Earlier this year, NV Energy decreased the amount it pays residential owners of solar arrays for excess electricity they send into the grid, causing a public outcry."
One way state regulators have attempted to mitigate the impact of distributed solar is by charging an exit fee. The fee is designed to "stave off rate hikes for the remaining customers."
Companies like MGM and Wynn have already decided to pay the exit fee, with others planning to follow suit. Even the city of Las Vegas (located outside famous "Strip" that most people think of as the city) has set a goal to power all municipal buildings and public spaces with renewable energy by 2017. "It too must get PUC approval for its plan though," writes Lapan, "and the commission has mandated the city purchase the bulk of its electricity from one of NV Energy’s solar facilities."
FULL STORY: Why Some Las Vegas Casinos Are Gambling on Solar

Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.

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

California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.

Raleigh Launches Greenway Food Truck Pilot to Enhance Park Experiences
Raleigh’s new Greenway Food Truck Pilot Program brings local food vendors to popular greenway locations to enhance park experiences, support small businesses, and encourage community use of public spaces.

‘Displaced By Design:’ Report Spotlights Gentrification in Black Neighborhoods
A new report finds that roughly 15 percent of U.S. neighborhoods have been impacted by housing cost increases and displacement.

Nevada and Utah Groups Oppose Public Land Sell-Off Plan
A set of last-minute amendments to the budget reconciliation bill open up over half a million acres of federally managed land to sales.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
City of Clovis
City of Moorpark
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions