Austin Energy is planning for operational challenges and potential billing increases as new data centers with growing electric power needs are established in the region.

What residents should know: City officials said the scope and speed of proposed developments like data centers carry "significant challenges" for the public power utility given the amount of power they could end up using. Similar impacts are being felt statewide, with the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, or ERCOT, projecting its peak demand to nearly double by 2028 largely due to data center additions.

It remains to be seen how many major data center plans will materialize around Austin in the near future. The addition of large users to the grid could end up impacting AE's electricity rates as those facilities come online, officials said. For now, major users will not be added until upgrades to protect current customers are complete.

Safety improvements along routes to Zilker Elementary School are now complete, according to city of Austin officials.

The details: City officials said the upgrades aim to improve safety for students and families walking and biking to and from campus. The work included a curb extension at Rundell Place and Ann Arbor Avenue and three flashing solar-powered school zone beacons installed near Zilker Neighborhood Park, along Rundell Place near Bluebonnet Lane, and near Ann Arbor Avenue.

Additional improvements include six new pedestrian crossing islands along Bluebonnet Lane at Ashby Avenue, Ford Street, and Anita Drive, Arpdale Street and Meadowridge Drive, as well as a midblock crossing across from Zilker Neighborhood Park. A protected two-way bike lane was also added along Rundell Place between Bluebonnet Lane and Rabb Road.

The project was funded through the city’s 2016 and 2020 mobility bond programs and is part of Austin’s $27.5 million Safe Routes to School, Pedestrian Crossings and Bikeways initiatives, according to city documents.

Capital Metro's downtown Red Line rail station will temporarily close Jan. 2-5 due to construction activity for the Austin Convention Center redevelopment.

What's happening: The entire Red Line rail won't be operating on New Year's Day Jan. 1. During the downtown disruption over the following days, the Plaza Saltillo Station to the east will serve as the rail line's end of service. Dedicated bus transfer service to and from Plaza Saltillo and the Downtown Station will be available Jan. 2-5.

The construction activity comes soon after Austin officials approved a fee waiver for the relocation of some CapMetro infrastructure around the Downtown Station as the convention center project progresses.

We Are Blood is encouraging Central Texas to kick off the new year by donating blood at a local hospital.

The overview: In honor of its 75th anniversary, the organization will host its Partners for Patients event from Jan. 2-9 at nearly 20 hospitals and emergency medical service agencies across Central Texas. The blood drive campaign, held during National Blood Donor Month, is intended to combat blood shortages experienced during and after the holidays, according to We Are Blood information.

How it works: Interested participants can sign up for a time slot to donate blood at several locations from Jan. 2-9.

Why it matters: “During the holidays, emergencies do not slow down,” said Davis Winget, Williamson County clinical practices captain, in a news release. “As first responders, we see firsthand how donated blood saves lives every day. Partnering with We Are Blood helps ensure patients have what they need when it matters most.”