At the federal level of government, environmental standards for power are being rolled back and regulation is being reduced as fossil fuels make a rebound. But, at the local levels of government, green energy is one of the hottest top priorities. City leaders, with great support from citizens, are moving aggressively to launch green energy projects.
Some are creating community solar gardens - centrally located solar power systems which allow individuals to subscribe and purchase energy credits. A few cities, St. Louis for example, have pledged to remove fossil fuels completely. The support for renewable energy has increased contracting opportunities exponentially.
Five U.S. cities have switched to 100 percent renewable power over the past decade. Aspen, Colorado; Greensburg, Kansas; Burlington, Vermont; Kodiak Island, Alaska; and Rock Port, Missouri, are leaders in renewable energy commitments. And, in just this past year, 46 more cities committed to using only clean power sources.
Solar and wind power are projected to become the cheapest sources of electricity by 2030 and as city leaders embrace sustainability, even more renewable energy projects will be launched. The contracting opportunities will open doors for firms that specialize in planning, consulting, professional services, financial assistance, construction, engineering and technology.
This is the time of year when bond proposals are voted on by residents so cities and towns can take on improvement projects. But new laws might be enacted in 2018 that could take some of the attraction away from bonds. Last week, a draft, called Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, H.R. 1, released by the House Ways and Means Committee, comes with provisions that, if enacted into law, would eliminate significant segments of the tax-exempt bond market. Bond reforms, under subtitle G of the draft, calls for the termination of private activity bonds, repeal of advance refunding bonds, repeal of tax credit bonds and no tax-exempt bonds for professional stadiums. 
California- The Rancho Santa Fe (RSF) School board has considered pursuing a general obligation bond in 2018 that would be added to the June or November 2018 ballot. The board will also make changes to the 2015 facilities master plan by issuing a request for qualifications and proposals for an architectural firm to review and update. The existing facilities master plan details acquiring properties along El Fuego to potentially expand parking, adding kindergarten through fourth-grade fields and hardcourt play areas. 
Pennsylvania- A University of Pittsburgh trustees panel has approved about $44 million, from bond proceeds and plant funds, for campus renovations. The projects include $13.8 million to upgrade network broadcasts, broadcast-studio, media control rooms and fiber optic installments. A plan for the new studio to be fully in operation by August 2019 tracks with the network channel's expected debut in fall of that year. 
Alabama- The Alabama Department of Corrections has issued a request for qualifications for a team to develop a master plan for existing prisons and any future ones it may want to build. Several of the current state prisons are over 75 years old. The department opened bids last week for a project management team and the due date is Dec. 4. 
New York- The town of Tonawanda and New York State elected officials issued an expression of interest (EOI) statement for bringing new life into the former coal-burning facility, which was retired in March 2016. The site has potential for a renewable or clean-energy project on its hundred-acre site because of a national grid switchyard and connection infrastructure at the site. The EOI is extended to developers, real estate companies and power producers. 
The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) wants to develop technology that scans the faces of travelers as they enter and leave the U.S. without passengers getting out of their car. In addition, the capability must be able to account for environmental elements such as lighting, windshield tint, vehicle speed and infrastructure. The scanning technology must also account for traffic and occupant behavioral factors such as sun glasses, hats, driver looking away or an obstruction of facial view. Finally, the system must account for diversity in passenger demographics and socioeconomics - access to and use of mobile electronic devices. 
Washington- Seattle Parks and Recreation seeks investors for one of Warren G. Magnuson Park's historic airplane hangars. The 350-acre park is home to a former naval station which has been converted into an art gallery and event space. The park is also home to nine athletic fields, a nine-acre dog park and a field popular for outdoor movies. 
Mississippi- After 17 years, the city of Jackson is hoping to finally get a movie theater. One of its former theaters is boarded up, another is a cracked foundation with weeds, while a third one is now being used as a church. The city has announced it is willing to employ some form of a public-private partnership for the project. 
Oklahoma- Oklahoma's Gilcrease Expressway project began in the 1950s to create a loop around the city. But the planned loop stalled at a necessary crossing of the Arkansas River west of downtown. The route of the five-mile, four-lane tollway, which will include an adjacent multiuse trail, was approved by the state in April. The plan should be finalized by May 2018, with construction to begin late in the summer. 
Colorado- This week, Aspen City council members extended the lease of the restaurant and bar currently housed in the Wheeler Opera House through April 15. For the past year, the agreement has been on a month-to-month agreement and the restaurant owner recently asked for lower rent and to close for two months during the offseason. 
Arizona- Under a federal law, 
Alabama- Next week, the city of Mobile will release plans on how to revitalize a 50-year-old civic center that sits on a 24-acre site. The city is considering developing a public-private partnership (P3) for the Mobile Civic Center. Its three main goals are to provide a space for public needs, to improve and diversify the amenities and services provided by that site and to serve the purposes for which the original facility was built. 
