ASC's Intersections Newsletter — Week of August 22, 2022
Nora's Note
Celebrating Women’s Rights. Friday is ASC’s 30th Anniversary; it is also the 102nd anniversary of the day in 1920 when the 19th Amendment was adopted, establishing that women could no longer be denied the vote based on gender. But there is more to this story. Not only was progress not equitable; it was tricky—even with gender removed as a barrier, women faced a blockade before they could see the inside of a voting booth, and factors like age, mental competence and residency were used to turn women—especially Black women—away for failing to comply with constitutional tests. Even though the last century marked progress for women’s rights in the workforce, law and participation in public policy, we continue to face significant hurdles. That’s why on this Women's Equality Day – and the start of the next decade for ASC’s women-owned business, we’re celebrating with donations to Equality Now, Malala Fund and The New York Women’s Foundation, which share our commitment to working for a just future for all, without barriers.
Transportation
Thousands of low, no-emission buses to roll out across the country. The Federal Transit Administration announced it has awarded $1.66 billion in grants to help 150 bus fleets add over 1,100 zero-emission vehicles across the United States. New York’s Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) received $116 million, the largest award, to replace 4% of the city’s diesel-powered buses by purchasing 230 electric buses. This measure will contribute to the MTA's goal of making its bus fleet entirely zero-emissions by 2040. Read more about the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law's recent funding of green transit. (Source: Spectrum News NY1)
NY Times: The Pandemic Wasn’t Supposed to Hurt New York Transit This Much
Reuters: U.S. states urge postal service to halt gas vehicle purchases
Forbes: New Clean Vehicle Tax Credit Plan Means Most EVs No Longer Qualify
Axios: The electric car Battery Belt is reshaping America’s heartland
Pix 11: College students can save big with the NJ Transit discount pass
NJ.com: NJ Transit gets $44M to build new bus terminal, garage for electric buses
Next City: Extreme Weather Is Only Getting Worse. Can Cities Protect Public Transit?
Mass Live: Orange Line shutdown: MBTA officials predict ‘transportation emergency’ in Boston later this week as shutdown begins
Slate: Why golf carts—golf carts!—are a transportation mode of the future.
Energy/Environment
Deadline looms for western states to cut Colorado River use. In the face of over two decades of drought that have depleted the Colorado River, seven western U.S. states missed last week's deadline to reduce their water use by 15 to 30%. At the same time, the region is experiencing the first-ever “Tier 2” water shortage, which will force Nevada, Arizona and Mexico to significantly cut water use in 2023. As a short-term measure, farmers have asked for payment to plant fewer crops. Read more about the negotiating stalemate between Upper and Lower Basin states to reduce Colorado River water consumption. (Source AP: News)
E&E News: Calif. governor gives lifeline to state’s last nuclear plant
Boston.com: Boston completes plans to strengthen all 47 miles of coastline against flooding
Utility Dive: Baker signs major Massachusetts climate bill despite concerns over fossil fuel limits, other provisions
NPR: Why scientists have pumped a potent greenhouse gas into streams on public lands
Asbury Park Press: These days, it's tough to be a bee: Concerns mount over wild bee decline in NJ and beyond
Minnesota Reformer: More Midwest banks see opportunity to finance solar, energy efficiency projects
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette: Judge revives Obama-era ban on coal sales from U.S. lands
NBC NY 4: How Prepared is NYC If the Next Hurricane Ida-Level Storm Hits?
Economic Development
Biden signs major climate, health care and tax bill into law. The recently passed Inflation Reduction Act will fund initiatives to combat climate change and expand health care coverage. The funding for the package will be generated by closing tax loopholes for large companies and is expected to generate roughly $700 billion in new revenue. Included in the law is an expansion of Affordable Care Act subsidies and funding for EV tax credits for 20 models. Read more for additional details on the new and ambitious appropriations package. (Source: NBC News)
CNN: New York manufacturing suffers near-record plunge
Gothamist: Delivery workers, elected officials push back on NYCHA’s proposed e-bike and battery ban
CNBC: U.S. freight shipping rates have likely peaked, according to new Cass Freight Index data, in another sign that inflation is easing
Route Fifty: Prospect of SALT Deduction Increase Gone—at Least for a Few Years
Asia Times: Green revolution opens door to US reset of ties with Africa
Governing: Did Maine’s $45 Million Job Growth Investment Work?
CT Mirror: CT launches $70 million accelerated workforce training program
New Jersey Digest: New Jersey’s Fleeting Farmland Problem
About Arch Street Communications
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