The fledgling city already has green jobs (Advent Solar, Schott Solar) and has been mapped out to be pedestrian and public transit friendly.

But the mortgage implosion and credit crunch has temporarily eclipsed all that promise as the development of more than 37,000 Energy Star-rated homes has been put on hold.

It's unfortunate that Mesa Del Sol, with its planned smart grid, open spaces, mix of retail and residential properties, and forward-thinking business incentives should be in flux because of external circumstances.

I would expect that once the financial bailout has sufficiently recharged lenders' capital Mesa Del Sol will be one of the first places where homeowners will be able to find credit. "Green" banks that understand that lower utility bills and reduced vulnerability to energy price fluctuations make for lower risk loans, should open their doors to potential homeowners.