ASC's Intersections Newsletter — August 18, 2023
Nora's Note
A climate win for all. This week, a Montana court handed down a landmark ruling in a case brought by a coalition of youth, that the state’s failure to consider climate change when approving fossil fuel projects violated the constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. Whoa! The ruling sets a precedent for similar cases in Oregon, Hawaii, and Puerto Rico, and centers youth as key stakeholders in environmental decisions. Climate change cases more than doubled in the past five years, and the courts will increasingly be the battleground in the fight for environmental justice. The ruling also comes on the one-year anniversary of the passage of the Inflation Reduction Act, the largest investment in climate change mitigation ever made by Congress. A just and sustainable clean energy transition will require everyone to change; maybe following the lead of young people who consider environmental rights to be human rights can convince communities to make the shifts needed to win the climate fight.
Transportation
Fare Capping Is Being Adopted by Transit Agencies of All Sizes. Ridership affordability is being prioritized across the nation, as public transportation usage quickly approaches pre-pandemic levels. Rider caps are being explored in many states to assist students, seniors, and children in need of affordable transit options. The Los Angeles Metro, the third largest transit system in the US, recently capped weekly transit fares at $18 and daily fares at $5. Read more to find out the possibilities and benefits of lower fares on public transit. (Source: Mass Transit Mag)
Portland Press Herald: Amtrak Downeaster ridership rebounds from pandemic slowdown
Smart Cities Dive: Advanced air mobility research center grows in Tulsa, Oklahoma
Mass Transit Mag: MTA Metro-North Railroad completes first transit-oriented development project
AMNY: City grants new $405 million, five-year contract to vendor operating NYC Ferry
Climate
How COVID and Biden's climate law could usher in an era of green housing. The pandemic has led to an increased conversion of empty office spaces to housing units. Recent research has highlighted that these conversions not only address housing shortages but also reduce greenhouse gas emissions from buildings in urban areas. As seen in New York, the creation of such units can be expedited and supported through local, state, and federal initiatives. Read more about the environmental and economic benefits of office-to-apartment conversions. (Source: Axios)
Energy Storage: Grid-scale battery boom as US quarterly installs go up 32%, pipeline grows 45% year-on-year
PV Tech: Solar added 2.7GW of capacity in Q2 2023 in the US, half of all clean power installs
PBN: R.I. researchers get $6M for climate change, coastal resiliency hub project
Bay Journal: Advocates say Maryland's climate plan could help the Chesapeake Bay, too
Economic Development
How federal dollars might help El Paso stem its affordable housing crisis. El Paso, TX currently has an above average 18.3% poverty rate and a critical affordable housing shortage. The city and other Texas communities are set to receive millions of dollars in federal funding to increase housing availability over the next five years. El Paso officials are also considering policy changes such as easing zoning laws, fostering better educational and health outcomes, and curbing migration from the city to satellite communities. Read more about Texas’ affordable housing projects. (Source: Texas Tribune)
Route Fifty: More states look to boost kids’ social media literacy
Route Fifty: Cyber grant program gets a big funding boost
ScienMag: Grant provides cancer research training experience to expand workforce for cancer prevention and control
Houston Public Media: Public housing will receive air conditioning from Houston Housing Authority’s Heat Relief Initiative
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