The state aims to have 1 out of every 5 vehicles on its roads electric by 2030, yet less than 1 percent of registered vehicles in the state are EVs and just 10 school buses and eight public transit buses are electric.
With transportation the country's top source of greenhouse gases, policymakers and scientists say electrifying what people drive is crucial to heading off climate disaster — particularly the cars, SUVs and pickups that pump out the majority of the deadly emissions.
Read more: US: Minnesota and Its Long Road to Electric Vehicle Transition
As broadband expansion efforts increase nationwide, digital equity advocates are working to ensure that urban communities are included. New federal funding opportunities are adding fuel to these efforts.
Urban communities face unique challenges in effectively gaining broadband access, which primarily involve affordability and literacy.
With the continuing rise of digital inclusion efforts nationwide, advocates are working hard to fill the gaps in rural communities through partnerships and other measures. And as government agencies plan for federal broadband distribution opportunities, there are steps to take to ensure digital inclusion efforts reach urban communities, those working in the space contend.
Read more: US: Closing the Digital Divide: Expanding Urban Broadband
Data insights can help the city identify potential land use and other changes.
Web-based data analysis and visualization tools are helping Little Rock, Ark., combat crime, provide greater transparency and enhance a number of city services.
Construction is underway on a $100 million project to add fiber-optic networks in Kenosha that will enable internet speeds up to 10 gigabits, according to a Thursday announcement.
New Jersey-based SiFi Networks will privately fund, own and operate the network, which the city approved in September 2020. Construction will take around three years to complete and will be conducted neighborhood by neighborhood, the announcement said. When fully implemented, the network will be available to all of the city's 40,000 households, as well as businesses and institutions in the city.
Citizens have their voices heard in WHI smart city presentation
Winslow leaders have been in conversations with World Homes Initiative (WHI) and its partner companies to bring manufacturing jobs, agricultural development, and new homes to the city built with technology-based infrastructure. Last week, the public was invited to participate in those conversations with two presentations and a panel discussion where audience questions were addressed.
The first presentation was given on Sept. 13 at the La Posada Hotel with over 50 people in attendance. During the presentation, World Homes Initiative President and Founder Charles Hedensten explained that the beginning phases of the WHI plan for Winslow is to build three manufacturing facilities, several hundred homes and create jobs. The group also plans to bring cutting edge technology to their projects and inject resources into the school district and municipal infrastructure.
Read more: US: Arozona: Winslow: Citizens have their voices heard in WHI smart city presentation