ASC's Intersections Newsletter — Week of December 14, 2020
Nora's Note
Next. Calling this a tough year would be like calling a Dagwood a mere sandwich. The question now is how to muster the optimism to charge ahead into 2021 and beyond. Can we turn recovery into an economic boom that not only rescues a planet but makes it thrive? The New York League of Conservation Voters eco-breakfasts collect public and private sector members in conversations about that and similar topics. Listening to Gil Quiniones, President and CEO of the New York Power Authority (NYPA) speak at this week’s eco-breakfast, many of us began to speak optimistically about what’s ahead. While he underscored NYPA’s role in addressing the pandemic, he also looked to advancing New York’s Climate Leadership and Protection Act (CLCPA) and dug into decarbonization, long-duration energy storage, technologies that have yet to be uncovered and the energy economy of the future. 2020 won’t fade into a distant memory any time soon, but there may just be good—even great—news on the horizon.
Transportation
The Emergency Funding Ideas That Could Help Keep Transit Alive. On Tuesday, #SavePublicTransit Day highlighted the pressure on public transportation agencies across the United States as they seek Federal support in addressing the pandemic's financial impact. The public transportation agencies that serve cities like Boston and San Francisco are predicting 2021 shortfalls of $579 million and $168 million, respectively. The Federal government recently proposed $15 billion in relief for transit agencies, but that proposed figure is only half of what public transportation agencies will need in emergency funding to avoid service cuts and layoffs. Beyond Federal funding, elected officials are looking at other options, including loans and emergency legislation at the state level, to keep transit agencies afloat. Read on for more about the long-term impact the pandemic may have on public transit.
FHWA Public Roads: Moving FoRRRwD – Focus on Reducing Rural Roadway Departures
NorthJersey.com: NJ spending $190M to renovate Newark Penn Station. Here's what improvements you can expect
Cortlandt Daily Voice: NY State Announces Completion Of I-84 Paving Project
Smart Cities Dive: Agencies tap public surveys to gauge transit trends
Nextgov: NPS Officials Share Fresh Details on Forthcoming Self-Driving Shuttle Pilot
NY Post: MTA’s OMNY tap-and-go fare system will be at all subway stations by year’s end
CleanTechnica: Department of Energy Announces $60 Million to Accelerate Advanced Vehicle Technologies Research
Transport Topics: Trucking Takes Initial Steps Toward a Zero-Emission Future
Energy/Environment
New York Power Authority’s plan for 70% renewable energy by 2030 approved. The New York Power Authority is on its way to changing the future of renewables in the State with its new strategic plan, VISION2030. Last week, the NYPA Board of Trustees approved VISION 2030, which calls for 100 percent carbon-free electricity by 2035—a full five years sooner than goals set by other states. The plan will serve as the framework for a stronger, more reliable system that supports environmental and economic goals in the years to come. Read on to learn more about NYPA’s recent innovation launches, including the “Supercell” lithium-ion trial and the construction of the lithium-ion battery storage system in upstate northern New York.
Axios: Putting the pandemic year's record emissions drop into context
ABC News: Why green hydrogen is the renewable energy source to watch in 2021
The Hill: Most states are below their greenhouse gas reduction goals
Scientific American: Three Signs a ‘New Arctic’ Is Emerging
Inverse: A New Potato Chip Paradigm Can Save The Planet
Inside Climate News: Biochar Traps Water and Fixes Carbon in Soil, Helping the Climate. But It’s Expensive
PV Magazine: Offshore floating PV may reach maturity in 2030
Greentech Media: California Faces Big Challenges to Microgrid Plans for Wildfires and Outages
Economic Development
Some States Train Jobless for Post-Pandemic Workforce. The pandemic has unevenly impacted different sectors across the economy, leaving many unemployed and without clear next steps for re-entering the workforce. To help their unemployed residents find new jobs, at least nine states around the country have used pandemic relief funding toward grants for short-term training programs. By offering support to programs that can be completed within months or even weeks, workforce development officials hope that the programs will help trainees quickly re-enter the workforce in fields including healthcare and manufacturing. However, others argue that focusing on community colleges and programs that take more time to complete would better meet the long-term needs of job seekers. Read on to learn more about these programs might shape the post-pandemic economy recovery.
The Verge: How governors are fighting for clean energy jobs
Statescoop: Illinois to launch volunteer program for digital literacy training
The Architect’s Newspaper: In Columbus, Indiana, a dead mall is getting a new lease on life as a health-focused community hub
Gothamist: Flushing's Massive Waterfront Rezoning Clears Hurdle After Developers Offer Concessions
NPR: Unemployment Claims Jump Just Before Critical Aid Programs Are Set To Expire
NY Times: States Try to Rescue Small Businesses as U.S. Aid Is Snarled
Westfair Communications: Harrison TOD project chugging along
Canarsie Courier: Governor Announces Second Phase of Empire State Digital with Ritual and Paypal to Support New York Restaurants and Food Service Industry
New at ASC
Our recent webinar “How to Maximize Your Virtual Engagement" with CEOs Nora Madonick (ASC) and Rebecca Karp (Karp Strategies) is now available on-demand.
Learn to use new technology to reach and engage audiences
Find out what works and what doesn’t
Take away guidance from real-world scenarios
The webinar showcased the teams' collaboration—Toolkit for Virtual Engagement—and you can download it today at ascRemote to build a strategy to meet your audiences where they are to advance the civic planning projects and initiatives that will speed recovery.
Get in touch to learn how our signature approach can work for you.
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