Complete Colorado is breaking a story about 10 different Colorado mayors requesting a total of $2.25 billion in federal pork. The biggest ask (go for the gusto, right?) comes from Colorado Springs at $1.25 billion. But the most interesting request hails from the People’s Republic:
The city of Boulder asked for $6 million to “…[p]rovide funding to convert 60 hybrid electric vehicles to Plug-in Hybrid Vehicles with Vehicle to Grid technology. The cars are part of the City of Boulder, Boulder County, and the University of Colorado fleets.” The retrofit of each vehicle, therefore, would cost $100-thousand dollars a piece.
I haven’t seen a cost-benefit analysis, but how much is really gained by switching to the Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle technology? I’m guessing it’s going to take a long time to save $6 million.
As for the others, it was interesting to see my hometown of Arvada on the list for a relatively modest $4.6 million in requested aid for street and bridge repair. I think it may be time for a little more investigation into these projects and the available funding streams.
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