The White House started a new initiative Monday to help cities tackle everything from crime to climate change.
The new $160 million Smart Cities Initiative seeks to leverage 25 new federal technology programs to help cities do everything from improving congested roads and reducing crime to “fostering economic growth, managing the effects of a changing climate, and improving the delivery of city services.”
“The new initiative is part of this administration’s overall commitment to target federal resources to meet local needs and support community-led solutions,” a White House fact sheet said.
The initiative will leverage $45 million in government funding and grants to create a smart cities research network. One of the core focuses of the network will be improving energy and climate change programs, with smart transportation development, healthcare and safety.
The Department of Energy and the Environmental Protection Agency will team up to help cities benefit from the government initiative. The agencies will coordinate with the Homeland Security, Transportation and Commerce departments.
“Nearly $70 million in new spending and over $45 million in proposed investments” will be allocated “to unlock new solutions in safety, energy, climate preparedness, transportation, health and more,” the fact sheet said.
The Energy Department also will invest nearly $10 million in support “of smart, energy-efficient and low-emission” technology deployment in cities. The effort would support the department’s long-standing effort to deploy digital devices, such as smart meters and other technologies, meant to make the electricity system more interoperable and drive greater use of energy efficiency.
The White House began the initiative Monday by holding a forum to highlight “new steps and brainstorm additional ways that science and technology can support municipal efforts,” according to the fact sheet.
