Implementing the National Broadband Plan | Issues

Wireless Innovation for Transportation

On May 12, 2011, the Department of Transportation's Research and Innovative Technology Administration published a Request for Information (RFI) and comments to help identify research and development (R&D) opportunities for wireless technology in surface transportation.

Comment due date: 06/13/2011

Addressing Policy and Logistical Challenges to Smart Grid Implementation

The Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability has issued a Request For Information (RFI) seeking information from stakeholders on the policy and logistical challenges that confront smart grid implementation. Responses to this RFI will also help inform the Administration’s analysis of policy challenges and possible solutions being developed by the Smart Grid Subcommittee of the National Science and Technology Council’s Committee on Technology.

Comment due date: 11/01/2010

Encourage Intelligent Transportation Systems

Recommendation #149
FCC Chapter: 12.14

Status: Started

Encourage Intelligent Transportation Systems

Safely incorporate the next generation of in-vehicle communications technology

Recommendation #148
FCC Chapter: 12.13
The federal government should continue to work with the transportation industry to safely incorporate the next generation of in-vehicle communications technology.

Improve the energy efficiency of its data centers

Recommendation #147
FCC Chapter: 12.12
The federal government should take a leadership role in improving the energy efficiency of its data centers.

Improve the energy efficiency and environmental impact of the communications industry

Recommendation #146
FCC Chapter: 12.11
The Federal Communications Commission should start a proceeding to improve the energy efficiency and environmental impact of the communications industry.

Make Smart Grid loans to rural electric cooperatives

Recommendation #145
FCC Chapter: 12.10

Status: Completed

The Rural Utilities Service should make Smart Grid loans to rural electric cooperatives a priority, including integrated Smart Gridbroadband projects. RUS should favor Smart Grid projects from states and utilities with strong consumer data accessibility policies.

Consumer energy data accessibility best practices

Recommendation #144
FCC Chapter: 12.9

Status: Completed

The Department of Energy should consider consumer data accessibility policies when evaluating Smart Grid grant applications, report on states' progress toward enacting consumer data accessibility, and develop best practices guidance for states.

Adopt consumer digital data accessibility and control standards

Recommendation #143
FCC Chapter: 12.8

Status: Completed

The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission should adopt consumer digital data accessibility and control standards as a model for the states.

Require electric utilities to provide consumers access to, and control of, their own digital energy information

Recommendation #142
FCC Chapter: 12.7
States should require electric utilities to provide consumers access to, and control of, their own digital energy information, including real-time information from smart meters and historical consumption, price and bill data over the Internet. If states fail to develop reasonable policies over the next 18 months, Congress should consider national legislation to cover consumer privacy and the accessibility of energy data.