Smart Surfaces Coalition Launches Tools to Inform Resilient Infrastructure Policies and Investments

Strategic Insights -

The Smart Surfaces Coalition, in collaboration with its partners, has released an updated suite of web-based tools to support the strategic adoption of Smart Surfaces, a set of resilient infrastructure technologies that mitigate urban heat, manage stormwater, and enhance grid resilience. These tools aim to inform policy and investment decisions, assisting state and local governments in meeting their unique energy, environmental, and economic development goals. One notable tool, the Smart Surfaces Policy Tracker, houses a robust database of nearly 2,000 Smart Surfaces policies across all 50 states, allowing state energy offices to explore policies in other jurisdictions and filter by location, climate zone, and more. The coalition has also launched a Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool and a Decision Support Tool, currently available for ten cities participating in the Cities for Smart Surfaces initiative.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Smart Surfaces Coalition has released a suite of web-based tools to support the strategic adoption of Smart Surfaces technologies.
  • The tools aim to inform policy and investment decisions for state and local governments, helping them meet energy, environmental, and economic development goals.
  • The Smart Surfaces Policy Tracker features a database of nearly 2,000 policies across the US, allowing for easy filtering by location, climate zone, policy type, and technology.
  • The tracker also hosts policy guides, model ordinances, and a Policy Help Desk for direct assistance.
  • The coalition launched a Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool and a Decision Support Tool, currently available for ten cities participating in the Cities for Smart Surfaces initiative.
  • The tools are designed to support the adoption of resilient infrastructure technologies, such as cool roofs and walls, green roofs, reflective and permeable pavements, solar, and trees and other nature-based stormwater infrastructure.
  • State Energy Offices can use the tracker to explore policies in other jurisdictions, aiding in data-driven decisions.
  • The coalition aims to provide direct assistance and resources to state governments, facilitating the implementation of Smart Surfaces policies.

Statistics:

  • Nearly 2,000 Smart Surfaces policies are housed in the Smart Surfaces Policy Tracker.
  • The tool allows users to filter by location, climate zone, policy type, and technology.
  • The Benefit-Cost Analysis Tool and Decision Support Tool are currently available for ten cities participating in the Cities for Smart Surfaces initiative.

Sources:

  • National Association of State Energy Officials (NASEO) "News Article: Smart Surfaces Coalition Launches Tools to Inform Resilient Infrastructure Policies and Investments"