Alberto

Infrastructure

Power

Alberto has two main power generation sites. The first is a heliostat field, which takes advantage of the 330+ days of sunlight that the town enjoys. The heliostat generates power for all public services, as well as most of the residential and commercial power. The second system, which generates power for the remaining residential and commercial buildings (see below), as well as all corporation facilities, is an underground network of Generation IV reactors (GIVR). The network can be completely insulated from the rest of town in the event of an emergency. Residential and commercial buildings must apply to receive power from the nuclear network. If either (or in the unlikely event that both) of these sites were to go offline, backup power would be provided to the town by a system of geothermal collectors. Power flow is managed automatically by the grid operating system. This system is monitored 24 hours per day by the corporation's Power, Electrical Engineering and Nuclear Generation office (PEENG).

Transportation

Transportation in Alberto is exclusively by motor vehicle. All vehicles provided in Alberto are electric, and charge from the grid. Charging stations are provided at all residential buildings, as well as all public parking spaces. Vehicles in Alberto run off the SmartDrive system, a program that networks all vehicles into a "self-driving" system. In spite of the existence of this network, all drivers must pass both a permit test at age 14, and a driving test at age 15. During the permitted period, drivers between the stated ages are required to be accompanied by a licensed driver. Access to mass transit, including buses, trains and airports are provided free of charge by the Alberto Inter-City Shuttle (AICS).

Public Safety

Safety is provided through the Alberto Town Sheriff's Office. The sheriff, appointed by the Mayor, is expected to choose one deputy for every 1,000 people, but must employ at least 4 deputies. The Sheriff's Office has the power to conduct investigations as it sees fit, although incidents on corporation property are to be handled by the corporation Security Office (SECO) unless wrongdoing is suspected as the primary cause of the incident. Fire services are provided by the Emergency Services (ESERV) department of the corporation.

Public Health

Health services are provided jointly by the Medical Research Lab/Medical Internship Program (MRLN). Basic medical supplies may be purchased in town.

Water

Alberto now operates a zero-loss water system. Water is pumped into the system from the aquifer underneath the town. Once used, the water is passed through a corporation-designed Molecular Impurity Filtration System (MIFS), and returned to the aquifer, where the process begins again.

Waste Management

All waste passes through the Central Alberto Reclamation Line (CARL), where it is separated into its constituent components. If the components can be reclaimed for further use, they are sorted and sent to the corporation for further examination. If the waste in question is irreclaimable, it is sent to the corporation's Unusable Waste Disposal Lab (UWDL).

Leadership

Government

Alberto is a direct democracy, in which each citizen votes directly on issues and majority rules. Voting age begins at age 16, when citizens have finished their required schooling. Regular voting takes place every three months, during which time the State devotes a week to voting on issues. During this week, all citizens are free from work, and attend regional meetings lead by the Rotating Council. The Rotating Council consists of 11 elected citizens, each holding a 2-year non-consecutive term. Their job is to inform the public of the laws and issues being discussed so the public is informed when they finally do vote. There are no political parties in Alberto.

Military & War

Being a small and relatively new society, Alberto has no military of their own. They rely on the United States' army and navy for protection.

There is no war in Alberto. All citizens from Alberto are exempt from the draft.

Immigration

Travelers are encouraged to visit Alberto. Those who wish to become citizens of Alberto must meet with the Rotating Counsel to discuss their reasons for moving and whether they can uphold the goals of Alberto. Illegal immigrants will be detained, and if they cannot be naturalized into Alberto for whatever reason, they will be guaranteed safe passage to wherever they wish to go within means of the State.

International Relations

Members of the US Cabinet are allowed to sit in on the counsel; members of the Rotating Counsel are also allowed to sit in on the US Cabinet. Alberto keeps peaceful relations with all nations. Ambassadors are allowed to move freely to and from Alberto.

Illicit Activity Management

There are no prisons in Alberto--all crimes are treated through rehabilitation of the offenders.

Social Structure

Marital Structure

There is little government involvement or regulation in the practice of marriage in Alberto. The only rule is that individuals must be of at least 16 years to get married. Otherwise, marriage and relationships are left largely up to the individual. Anyone may marry anyone they would like to, with equal rights for both gay and straight marriages. There is no social pressure or expectance for people to get married, but if they would like to, they may. For the most part, relationships and marriages are monogamous, but if the individuals would like to and agree to pursue other types of relationships, it is up to them to decide to do so. Divorce is permitted.