ASC's Intersections Newsletter — August 11, 2023
Nora's Note
Restoring our waters. This Wednesday, the climate strategy team and ASC client, Equinor Renewables dedicated a volunteer day to reviving oyster reefs with Billion Oyster Project on Governor's Island. Oyster reefs hold tremendous environmental significance, yet pollution has historically endangered oysters and the many species that rely on them in New York Harbor. The volunteer team cleaned and sorted oyster shells discarded from NYC restaurants, helping to build fresh habitats for young oysters, or "spats," to anchor and flourish. Though New York Harbor is now cleaner than it has been at any time in the last 100 years, lingering pollution from decades of waste dumping has made solid surfaces for young oysters rare on the floor of the harbor. Billion Oyster Project has been working to restore the harbor’s oyster reefs for almost 10 years, with a goal of reaching one billion oysters in the harbor by the year 2035. As we work to restore and preserve our planet’s natural environments through policy and public engagement, such on-the-ground moments provide encouraging glimpses into what we are fighting for.
Transportation
How Minneapolis became a top U.S. Bike City. Minneapolis has significantly changed its biking infrastructure within the last year, becoming one of America’s best cities to bike in. Local policymakers focused on complimenting the Grand Rounds Scenic byway, the 51-mile loop which circles the city, by connecting it with new, grade separated trails and buffered bicycle boulevard facilities for interconnection. The infrastructure improvements help keep pedestrians, cyclists and mobility device users safe, while keeping road traffic moving. Read more on how strategic infrastructure improvements can improve bike safety and traffic flow. (Source: Streets Blog)
Mass Transit Mag: USDOT launches Project Delivery Center of Excellence
Route Fifty: Transit agencies prep for new data requirements
NBC: MTA announces additional fully accessible stations
Streets Blog: In-Car Tech Would Force NYC’s Worst Drivers to Slow Down Under New Proposal
Climate
The first hydrogen-powered planes are taking flight. Hydrogen fuel cell planes are under rapid development in the US, marking a key step towards the development of larger and more powerful hydrogen models. Small planes equipped with hydrogen fuel cells have made their first test flights in the US and England, and two startups claim their planes will be ready for commercial use within three years. Read more about the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from airliners by up to 90% through hydrogen fueled flights. (Source: Canary Media)
Route Fifty: Regional partnerships can bring a refreshing solution to aging water infrastructure
Energy News Network: Chicago to pay for electric stoves, heat pumps for lower-income homes
UPI: U.S. identifies three new areas for potential offshore wind energy development
Energy News Network: Making Maine’s next generation of housing fossil-free — and affordable
Economic Development
HUD offers $85M to communities actively eliminating housing barriers. The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) released $85 million to help communities remove barriers for affordable housing. Part of the Biden Administration’s Housing Action Plan, the Pathways to Removing Obstacles to Housing (PRO Housing) program provides grants of up to $10 million to develop housing policies, address restrictive zoning, and encourage transit-oriented development approaches that create and preserve affordable housing. Read more to learn about eligibility requirements, uses, and program goals. (Source: Route Fifty)
The 19th: In a hostile housing landscape, solutions emerge to support home-based child care providers
Axios: Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo courts Gen Z for semiconductor jobs
Route Fifty: Turning workplace fatigue around with better data, policies
Smart Cities Dive: $400M job training program in PA aims to boost infrastructure projects
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