Map of Ft. Meyers Region

Babcock Ranch, FL, the self-described ‘City of Tomorrow’ is reported to be the first city powered entirely with solar energy.

In an agreement with Florida Power and Light, the small privately developed south Florida community will build a utility-scale solar power plant to meet the needs of its residents. A recent report also mentioned that the city expects the solar development project to create 20,000 temporary jobs.

But electricity from the sun is just the beginning. The city plans to have a sustainable water management system, green roofs, low emission street lights, and electric car chargers integrated with smart grid. Every aspect of sustainable living has been considered, from proximity of homes to schools and shopping centers to use of recycled building materials and energy conservation systems.

Babcock Ranch shows how urban planning can be seamlessly integrated with sustainable living and energy practices. But we cannot build all new cities. Retrofitting of existing urban environments is critical to reaching energy independence, and it’s doable if planners, historic commissions, and local politicians recognize that a) we must start building now (i.e. no more frivolous delays), and b) designs of the past were acceptable according to yesterday’s standards; we have new standards, new requirements, and new needs that must be taken into account.

Roof of Charlie's Kitchen / The Red House

I am often struck by discussions with local building owners who want to put solar or wind on their roof but are blocked by arcane rules and regulations. One home owner put up a small wind turbine but was told to take it down because the noise from the blades exceeded city ordinance – a level that is exceeded by every car and bus that drives by the house. But I am heartened when I hear stories like Charlie’s Kitchen which installed solar hot water on the roof of the restaurant, and now the owner has bought a farm in western Massachusetts so he can grow his own produce for use in the restaurant.

To become a nation of energy locavores we need new energy neutral cities and towns, and cities and towns that are working towards energy-neutral status. Tell us about your communities efforts to become energy-neutral in the Comment section below.

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Related posts:

1. Energy Independence at Charlies Kitchen