In 2016, about 4.08 trillion kilowatthours of electricity were generated at utility-scale facilities in the United States, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. About 65 percent of this electricity generation was from fossil fuels - coal, natural gas, petroleum, and other gases. About 20 percent was from nuclear energy and 15 percent was from renewable energy resources.

Renewable energy remains a small portion of our energy consumption, but these natural resources are still blowing strong, shining brightly and making waves in several states that have the ability to put these free resources to good use. Well-known renewable energy sources include: hydroelectric, biomass, ocean, hydrogen, geothermal, wind and solar. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, America is home to one of the largest and fastest growing wind markets in the world. According to the American Wind Energy Association, Texas is the undisputed leader in wind energy. It has approximately three times more wind generating capacity than any other state and hosts nearly a quarter of American wind jobs. At the end of 2015, there were 75,000 wind turbines across the 50 states, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. That's enough capacity to power more than 142,000 American homes. American wind power is on track to double our output over the next five years and supply 10 percent of U.S. electricity by 2020.

Florida- Port Saint John's $205 million West Side Modernization Project officially started last week with engineering studies at the port that included environmental drilling. Some of the work being done for the project includes: deepening the main channel and berths alongside the port's container terminal, lengthening and strengthening the pier structure and constructing new Intermodal yard and improved truck access to the port. 

The project is receiving funding from both the federal and provincial government and the contract for design and engineering services was recently awarded to a local firm with experience working on marine infrastructure projects throughout major Canadian and American ports. The Port is planning to release the request for proposals (RFP) for the construction phase of the project this fall and will decide on a firm later this year or early 2018. It is expected that construction will take about three to four years. Once construction is complete, dredging of the main channel will begin. The improvements to the port, once completed in 2024, are estimated to bring about a $152 million uptick to New Brunswick's gross domestic product, $35.4 million in additional tax revenue, $109.6 million increase in labor income and a $84 million boost in consumer spending.

New Mexico- A company that offers detention services has unexpectedly decided to end operations with the Lincoln County Detention Center. The action has forced Lincoln County commissioners to seek interim management for the detention center until a formal request for proposals (RFP) can be issued and awarded. The county attorney expressed concern that since the jail only accommodates 161 beds, it is not ensured that the county will receive many proposals for interim management. 

During the interim period, the county will assume responsibilities for salary and benefits under the proper legal mechanism and the county will hold their current detention services provider in default of its agreement with the county. If the contract is not reassigned, there would be a gap between the current company's last day and the first day a new contract can be awarded through the RFP process. A request for proposals was developed and was to be published this week. Responses to the RFP would allow the evaluation committee to decide on a provider to present at the May 16 commission meeting and decide on an award that day. June 2 would be the date the successful proposer would begin operations.

Illinois- The Metra Board of Directors authorized request for proposals (RFP) for the design and production of new railcars and locomotives to replace its aging fleet. The RFP will provide for at least 25 new railcars, plus as many more additional railcars above that amount as possible. This exact number will depend on the responses to the RFP, the amount of funding available and whether Metra can use funding alternatives to help increase money available for the project. The RFP, which will be published during the third quarter of 2017, will provide for a base order of 10 locomotives plus as many more as possible. 

Metra currently has approximately $200 million programmed for rolling stock purchases over the next five years, although some of that money could be needed for Positive Train Control or other capital needs. Metra's 2014 modernization plan called for the purchase of 367 railcars and 52 locomotives. That plan, however, counted on Metra receiving $1.3 billion in funding, primarily from a new state bond program. Anticipated funding did not come through and Metra is depending on maximizing the funding alternatives through methods such as leasing. 

Metra estimates that the contract for new railcars will be rewarded in the first quarter of 2018. Delivery of the first cars will be part of the negotiations and dependent upon the manufacturer's capacity to build. The last time Metra received new railcars for lines other than the Metra Electric was in 2006. Metra expects to award the contract for new locomotives later in 2018, with delivery of the first locomotive in 2020.

Arizona- The City of Chandler is issuing a request for qualifications (RFQ) from development firms interested in purchasing and developing 53.6 acres of city-owned property. The city is seeking to generate both immediate revenue and long-term economic benefit through the sale and development of the property. Following this RFQ process, the city will issue a request for proposals (RFP) that will seek detailed information about the proposed development project, development team members, timeline, impacts and benefits as well as proposed purchase price. Sale of the property will ultimately be contingent upon city council approval of the proposal and a purchase agreement. 

Massachusetts- The Department of Information and Innovation of Boston recently released a request for proposals (RFP) offering a 20-year contract for a broadband provider to connect 100 city buildings, 73 public schools and 24 family housing units to a fiber network. The network will also be used to help public safety communications for first responders. Responses to the RFP for the $10 million project are due June 6. The project is part of the city's long-term plans to develop the Boston Fiber Network and its Imagine Boston 2030 citywide plan for growth. This project is an effort to provide digital access for low-income residents, encourage equitable economic growth and prepare the city for the next generation of smart city services.

The procurement strategy for this project is unique in that networks in different areas of the city could be built by different companies. The city will issue awards to the network in chunks through something called an indefeasible right to use. The reason for this is that awarding contracts to multiple companies for different areas could spur competition and result in the best possible service for consumers. There is not an exact timeline of when the network will be deployed, but it is expected that some of the new broadband network can be utilized within the next year and full deployment may be a possibility in about two or three years.

Mississippi- Mississippi recently received approval from the Gulf Coast Ecosystem Restoration Council for nearly $50 million to be used to restore areas affected by the 2010 oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. The state plans to allocate $45 million to improve the quality of water along the Gulf Coast, $3.5 million to enhance oyster reefs near Pascagoula and $1.3 million for restoration planning. 

The money was sourced from a part of the Clean Water Act penalties paid by those who were responsible for the Deepwater Horizon spill. The spill was caused by millions of barrels of oil spilling into the gulf after the offshore rig caught fire and exploded. British Petroleum, which was found primarily responsible for the spill, has paid billions in cleanup costs, settlements and penalties.

John Porcari

New York/ New Jersey- The Gateway Development Corporation, a non-profit made up of current and former federal, Amtrak, New Jersey Transit and Port Authority officials, is considering a public-private partnership for its proposed Gateway Program. The program would add a second rail tunnel under the Hudson River and upgrade rail infrastructure in New York and New Jersey. The project's price tag, an estimated $24 billion, needs the federal government to cover 50 percent of the cost.