ASC's Intersections Newsletter — Week of April 25, 2022
Nora's Note
Let’s Keep it Going. Earth Month may be ending, but the call for environmental protection and sustainability can’t. In celebration of this year’s Earth Day, New York City held the largest car-free day in the city’s history, the Biden Administration announced new efforts to combat deforestation and activists brought attention to the efforts businesses, non-profits and government agencies around the world are making to “Invest in Our Planet.” But now the real challenge begins. Let’s keep the conversation around saving our planet going year-round—and commit to embracing sustainable and environmentally-friendly practices that will protect the Earth.
Transportation
New York City allocates $11 million to make streets cleaner and improve mobility. Last week, the New York City Department of Sanitation (DSNY) announced new funding for the restoration of Alternate Side Parking and year-round cleaning for protected bike lanes. The City hopes the increase in bike lane cleaning will encourage more New Yorkers to cycle, leading to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from automobiles. Read more for insights into how DSNY’s plan plays into the City’s Environmental Justice efforts.
AP News: Court ruling creates mishmash of transportation mask rules
Route Fifty: City Turns to Traffic Safety Technology to Curb Pedestrian Accidents
Transport Topics: Truck Tonnage Rises 3.8% in March
Pew Stateline: Residents Left Behind as Pandemic Hurts Bus Companies
CityLab: 2022 Is the Year of the Political Traffic Stunt
Smart Cities Dive: As cities redesign bus networks, planners stress community engagement
Transportation Today: FAA awards $4.4M in drone research grants
NJ.com: NJ Transit looking, but finding few solutions to return 5 bus routes to Philly
Energy/Environment
Proposed California EV regs could be adopted by other states. California regulators are proposing new rules that would require 35% of new car sales to be zero-emissions models by 2026—and 100% by 2035. If enacted, these rules would lead to more than 60 million fewer metric tons of carbon emitted per year by 2040. However, a lack of charging infrastructure could stand in the way of implementing the proposed rules. Read more to learn about how these regulations may serve as a model for other states' EV policies.
Reuters: Why more energy storage is key to turning renewables targets into reality
NY Times: Biden Plans to Open More Public Land to Drilling
Times Union: Schenectady's 'forest' will get some TLC
Vox: How to fight the affordable housing and climate crises at once
Grist: Renewables are growing — but a backlog of projects is holding up a greener grid
E&E News: Biden tosses $6B lifeline to save struggling nuclear plants
NBC News: Fires burn thousands of acres in Arizona amid fire-prone conditions in the Southwest
CNET: Solar Panels That Work at Night Developed at Stanford
Economic Development
Millennials, Gen Z are putting off major financial decisions because of student loans. According to a recent study, 74% of Gen Z borrowers and 68% of millennial borrowers have delayed financial decisions such as buying a house or saving for retirement due to student loan debt. While some lawmakers have called on the Federal government to cancel student loan debt, others argue that debt cancellation would not address the primary driver of student debt creation: the rising costs of higher education. Read more to learn how younger Americans are dealing with these financial difficulties.
Gothamist: Fewer families in NYC shelters, but length of stay has grown
GovTech: Use of Digital Classroom Tools Holds Steady Post-Pandemic
The City: Modest Job Gains in March as New York City Still Struggles to Regain pre-COVID Footing
Smart Cities World: Index reveals America’s most livable communities
NextGov: Energy Aims To Make AI Human-Driven, Accessible To Underserved Communities
Route Fifty: States Look to Virtual Reality for Workforce Development
The Examiner News: ArtsWestchester Receives Grant to Promote Tourism in White Plains
CNBC: U.S. housing starts unexpectedly rise in March; building permits increase
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