ASC's Intersections Newsletter — Week of August 11, 2022
Nora's Note
Where do you get your energy? On Sunday, the U.S. Senate passed the much-anticipated Inflation Reduction Act. Expected to pass in the House, the reconciliation package allocates $369 billion toward improving American energy security and tackling climate change. But success will depend in part on whether the bill’s tax credits and rebates for heat pumps and solar panels and the like are enough to get consumers to make the jump to clean-energy choices. And even with $60 billion in grants for clean energy, transportation, resilient public housing and air quality improvements in disadvantaged communities, a sidebar agreement to increase oil and gas leasing puts sweeping success in question. There’s much to be excited about in the new Act, and much work ahead to ensure we reach a greener, more resilient and more just future.
Transportation
How a NJ city has achieved 0 traffic deaths in 4 years. Through incremental changes, the City of Hoboken has not had a traffic fatality since 2018. The City has implemented a blend of strategies, including leading pedestrian intervals, which provide pedestrians with a several-second lead ahead of turning vehicles. These changes are part of the City’s local Vision Zero program, an initiative to end traffic-related injuries and fatalities. Read more about the infrastructure improvements and safe transportation education Hoboken has advanced in recent years. (Source: NPR)
Burlington Free Press: Amtrak's return to Burlington took vision and nearly 30 years of work
Adirondack Explorer: Public invited to weigh in on rail trail, impact on wetlands
Pennsylvania Capital-Star: PennDOT charges ahead on EV infrastructure development in PA
Roads & Bridges: NJ Officials and Pete Buttigieg Celebrate Groundbreaking at the New Portal North Bridge
Aviation Today: How Transportation Departments Are Using Advanced Drone Technology for Infrastructure Inspections
NBC Boston: Mass. Legislature Steering $11 Billion Infrastructure Bill To Baker
MarketWatch: Americans want EV tax incentives. But are they ready to lose gas cars forever?
Route Fifty: A Staggering Backlog of Transit Upgrades Is Stacking Up
Energy/Environment
Invasive species already cost billions. As the climate warms, the damage is expected to get worse. A recent study estimates that invasive amphibian and reptile species have cost the world $17 billion between 1986 and 2020. Some of the factors in this estimate include the spread of disease, loss of agricultural productivity and harm to human wellbeing. Experts note that the costs may be higher due to the exclusion of plants and insects from the study and limited access to some regions' data. Read more to learn how climate change may create new habitats for invasive species and increase their economic burden. (Source: USA Today)
The Hill: In towns plagued by raw sewage, EPA promises relief
The Texas Tribune: Why the High Plains turns off its turbines to limit wind production while the Texas power grid is stressed
WESA: A new Pa. law aims to address old gas well cleanup. It could make the problem worse, critics say
PBS: Settlement blocks planned federal fracking leases in California
E&E News: 3 issues to watch as heat strains the grid
CNBC: Parts of Great Barrier Reef show highest coral cover seen in 36 years
NJ.com: N.J. joins feds on new solar program that could save low-income residents $175M a year
The Providence Journal: Meet the groups bringing people of color into New England's energy industry
Economic Development
More States Back Offshore Wind, Citing Economic Potential. As many coastal states have turned to offshore wind energy for its potential to reduce emissions, others are interested in the jobs these projects can provide. States including South Carolina and Louisiana are focused on the opportunities they see in offshore wind equipment’s production and deployment, as well as the chance to use existing infrastructure from the oil and gas industry to help speed the transition. Read more about the nationwide adoption of offshore wind power and its economic impact. (Source: Pew Stateline)
State of Politics: Farm Bureau: Gov. Hochul plans to reduce overtime threshold to 40 hours
amNY: Vice President Kamala Harris visits Brooklyn to tout new Economic Opportunity Coalition helping underserved communities
StateScoop: USDA releases $401 million for rural broadband
Transport Topics: Bureau of Prisons Expands CDL Training for Women
NY Times: Why It’s So Hard to Find an Affordable Apartment in New York
Reuters: U.S. job openings fall to nine-month low; labor market holds tight
NextCity: NYC’s Newest Gigabit Center Aims to Close the Bronx’s Digital Divide
Brookings: Can the CHIPS Act heal the nation’s economic divides?
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